Artist-in-Residence’s wood-carving tutorials made students real sculptors

Aleksandar EFTIMOVSKI, the Artist-in-Residence (AiR) of Lingnan University for the first semester of 2018-19, not only took charge of the course “Studio Practice” in wood-carving, but also held an exhibition, Continuity, in late December at the Leung Fong Oi Wan Art Gallery to showcase the artworks made by students.

 

Eftimovski was born in Skopje, Macedonia. With a background in sculpture and fine arts, he is able to teach students how to combine the aesthetics of design into studio practice with a step-by-step approach. For instance, before asking students to start carving the wood, he would first require them to decide the theme of their work and then guide them to turn their ideas into 3-dimensional models.

 

Students find Eftimovski a professional, patient and helpful and his teaching practical. Emma CHIU Yin-Man, a Visual Studies student in her third year of study at Lingnan, acquired not only the technique of carving - including how to use different chisels, sandpapers and rasps in different stages - but also Eftimovski’s theory of art: “He convinced me that art provides million possibilities, and room for me to present my own interpretation and creativity through my sculpture.”

 

Another Year 3 Visual Studies student Snow YIM Wai was also inspired by the course. “Sculpture reflects the artist’s perception of things. Nothing has a fixed form, what matters is how it is being visualised in our mind.” To Emma and Snow, Eftimovski is more than a friendly teacher; he always encourages students to question and be critical, and is very keen to interact with students.

 

Emma says the programme has broadened her horizon and aroused her interest in sculpture-making. Meanwhile, Snow appreciates the AiR programme for its uniqueness – knowledge and techniques that can never be learned from lectures and books. She is very honoured to have participated in the progresses of art-making and the exhibition, as if she is a real artist.

 

The sculptures made by Lingnan students were exhibited at Continuity. Eftimovski encourages students to keep on working and trying, as it requires a very long time for them to be able to truly express themselves. That is the reason why he never gives students any deadlines during the course.

 

Eftimovski regards his time at Lingnan as a precious experience that allows him to meet and interact with Hong Kong students, and in return enhances his teaching and art creation. In addition, the exposure to local wood materials was another “bonus” of the trip. “The AiR programme at Lingnan University offers me what every artist wants and needs: a spacious studio, state-of-the-art tools and facilities, materials and most importantly, freedom to express,” says Eftimovski.

Artist-in-Residence’s wood-carving tutorials made students real sculptors   Artist-in-Residence’s wood-carving tutorials made students real sculptors

Artist-in-Residence’s wood-carving tutorials made students real sculptors   Artist-in-Residence’s wood-carving tutorials made students real sculptors

Infinity Changing  by                         Observe was inspired by the appearance of owls.
Observe by Snow YIM Wai (2018)  Emma CHIU Yin-Man (2018)