Coconuts turn into work of art |22 July 2023
The students and their parents in a souvenir photograph with Mr Servina
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SIAD students complete one-week coconut sculpting workshop
An impressive display of bats and coco-de mer made out of coconuts was what caught the eyes of guests who turned up at the Seychelles Institute for Art and Design (SIAD) at Anse Royale yesterday afternoon for the closing of a handicraft coconut workshop.
For one week, a dozen students following a one year certificate course at SIAD, has been de-husking, designing, staining and decorating their coconuts under the close supervision of renowned local craftsman Florent Servina, who has been creating art work out of coconuts for a decade.
The work, with the support of the Crafts Development Section within the National Arts and Crafts Council (NACC), culminated with the presentation of certificates to the participants along with the classroom lecturer, Daniel Dodin, in a short ceremony yesterday afternoon.
When addressing the students and their parents, representatives of SIAD’s board and those from NACC, the institutions’ director, Christine Chetty-Payet, said the purpose of the workshop was to make them discover a raw material that is widespread and can be used as a new form of traditional art.
She reassured the parents that the workshop was useful and had its place in their studies as coconut sculpting was an addition to what they were already doing, which will culminate with “a certificate that has value”.
The director reiterated that the week was not a past-time or a waste of time but could rather be beneficial in the long-run.
She also commended the students for doing it with love and passion and giving their undivided attention to Mr Servina during the one week.
For his part, the chief executive of the NACC, Jimmy Savy, said it was a pleasure for them to realise another project with the kind assistance of Mr Servina and SIAD’s keen interest.
“Our role is to bring in new blood, those who will replace the ones who are retiring or leaving us,” he stated, adding this was the second project they undertake with the guidance of Mr Servina, who was eager to share his knowledge.
“This form of art could bring in a living. This is just the beginning, now it is up to you to develop this and for you parents to encourage your children to carry on with this new art form,” urged Mr Savy.
He added that NACC would also contemplate a possible memorandum of understanding with SIAD for future collaborations.
Mr Servina, 71, who took his early retirement in 2012, and opted to do this form of art full time, commended the students for their hard work, discipline and enthusiasm and urged them to keep at it.
“I do not want you to stop, because you cannot spend your time learning something new and to quit after. Keep at it. Keep creating. You cannot lose when working with coconuts,” he stated.
Mr Servina was presented with a small token of appreciation for his time and devotion.
The ceremony proceeded with the presentation of certificates to the students, following a thank you note from student Thyra Rose, on behalf of her peers.
Photos: Louis Toussaint/NACC
