World renowned sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik has been awarded the Fred Darrington Sand Master Award for his contribution in the field. Patnaik set another milestone during the Sandworld 2025 International Sand Art Festival, which began in Weymouth in Dorset county of southern England on Saturday, when he created a 10-feet high sand sculpture of Lord Ganesha with a message of world peace.
He was declared the winner of this prestigious award, which is also special because the year 2025 will celebrate the centenary of the famous British sand sculptor Fred Darrington. Patnaik said, ‘I am honoured to be the first Indian artist to receive the Fred Darrington British Sand Master Award at the prestigious international sand art festival Sandworld 2025 in Weymouth, UK.’
He said, “This honour is a testament to my 10 feet sand sculpture of Lord Ganesha, which symbolises the universal message of world peace.” Mayor of Weymouth John Orrell presented the award and medal to Patnaik at the festival. Weymouth is said to be the birthplace of British sand sculpture.