Indian sand artist wins gold in Spain (With Image)

Bhubaneswar, July 18 (IANS) Odisha-based sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik's sculpture of Hindu god Ganesha has won two gold medals at the just-concluded Solo International Sand Art Contest in Marbella, Spain, the artist said Wednesday.

Pattnaik's 3.5-metre sand sculpture bearing message - "Save The Sea Life" - won in 'People's Choice' and 'Best Positive' sculpture categories.

"The theme of the competition was 'Secrets of the Sea,' the sand artist, who belongs to beach town of Puri, about 55 km from here, told IANS over the phone.

Pattnaik used about 1,000 tonnes of sand to build the sculpture.

He was the only sand artist from India to participate in the contest held July 9-17. Other participants included artists from Spain, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Poland and Holland.

Pattnaik has participated in more than 50 international sand art competitions across the globe and won many accolades.