Fakeero Solanki has done approximately 352 sculptures and many paintings. M. Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Benazir Bhutto are buried in Tando Allahyar.
Designer Fakeero Solanki uses clay, wood, plaster of Paris, fibreglass, and plasticine.
Solanki, who left out of high school in 1996, wasn’t an artist’s apprentice. His spiritual mentor was Michelangelo.
In 1993, Solanki began training with the late Italian artist Fakeero. He discovered unique art books at Karachi’s Khori Garden. “I learned from them.”
In 2020, I will receive Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, the highest civilian distinction. It’s genetic. “They carved gods for me, but they left too soon.” Expect to be taught.
He has approximately 350 sculptures in his tiny workshop on Tando Allahyar’s Chamber Road. He works 9-6. Solanki is always at work.
An artist never vacations. He does it anyway, despite the health risks. Solanki’s studio dust and chemicals often cause disease. This worries him. “I can’t,” he smiled.
Anthropologist Sikandar Ali Hullio says artists should be supported. “His work with clay is outstanding,” Hullio stated. Set up an art school with Fakeero.
Solanki will teach without a student. Where? People come from far, he lamented. His financial crisis jeopardises his meagre painting revenues.