let the travels begin! winston churchill memorial trust fellowship.﻿

let the travels begin! winston churchill memorial trust fellowship.

9/26/2016

I am off and away to Nepal and India to continue my research into lost-wax casting in its most traditional form.

I have the great fortune of being awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship. This brilliant organisation was set up in Churchill’s name following his death, to support his belief that sharing knowledge globally will improve peace and understanding across nations.
Any person from any field of interest can propose a project- the idea being that you travel beyond the borders of Great Britain, and bring back from your voyage knowledge and information to teach and inform the British, so we may improve ourselves and have a better understanding of the world outside of our island; like the explorers of old.

I will be meeting the traditional bronze casters of Kathmandu valley, the great families who have passed down their skills for generations. I will visit as many workshops as possible and interview crafts and art people from around Kathmandu to gather a picture of the culture, as it exists now. My main aim is to learn how they are bronze casting.

In India I will travel between the tribal villages, hundreds of which are completely dependent upon lost-wax casting to sustain entire communities. The form of bronze art in these tribes is called Dhokra art, beautiful and recognisable in its aesthetic, figurative and fine in detail.

I won’t write more for fear of guessing in advance what my trip will reveal. I will report back along my journey with the truth of my discoveries.

Next post from Patan!

The Universe is Unfolding as it Should. Brass, 2012.

4 Comments

Marten Beets

9/26/2016 06:24:42 am

Dear Abi and Muz, have a fantastic time, love, Marten

Really looking forward to the updates!!

Maite Baldet

9/26/2016 07:06:20 am

May your venture be full of beautiful culture, intelligent learning and fascinating new friends. Good luck with the acquisition of ancient skills and thank you to Murray for being there by your side X

Wahida Shaffi

10/25/2016 09:42:45 am

Dear Abigail

Your visit sounds amazing. I am really pleased it is going well.

I am travelling to Nepal on November 20th for a few weeks exploring women and young people led peace building initiatives.

I am very much interested in how creativity plays a role in peace building. If you have any suggestions of people I can meet or other useful tips that would be grateful.

I was hoping to stay in Patan but now may be staying in Katmandu. Did you stay with a family or a hotel?

I hope your final few days are lovely.

Regards
Wahida Shaffi

Abi Burt

10/25/2016 08:51:10 pm

Dear Wahida,

thank you very much for your message.
your project also sounds interesting, what exactly do you mean by peace building initiatives?

I stayed in Patan for the month in an apartment, and was very glad because it's a lot nicer than Kathmandu. Both can be absolutely hectic but Patan much less so, whereas kathmandu is constantly full on. If you still end up staying in Katmandu its all very close and connected so doesn't matter.

I can give you the contact details for Practical Action, they are a brilliant charity executing new problems solving initiatives all over Nepal. Their ethics are small changes that have sustainable results for improving living conditions or dealing with disasters.

I also know three young boys of early 20s who have initiated the build of a new refuge for the girls looked after by the charity Chora Chori. They are here until April.

I can also put you in contact with a man from Unicef.

Are any of these relevant to your project?
otherwise please explain in more detail and I will think more of everyone I have met. I haven't met any one involved directly in what you describe, which I am imagining is more focused on art therapy?
You can email me on abi.burt@hotmail.com

Best wishes,
Abi.

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ABIGAIL ISABEL BURT