The artist is planning to make a swing out of thousands of pencils.
Entering Bilal Asif’s studio is like going into a multicoloured world where nothing is quite what it seems.Look closely and you’ll see the furniture is made out of pencils of all sizes, the arms of a settee where Asif is working are made out of giant pencils.Asif is a passionate collector and he’s bought these pencils from all over the world.
He was taught to repair clocks by his father, but his fascination with pencils began when he was very young, and they inspired him to transform them into objects of art.For Asif joining together all these different coloured pieces of pencils has a symbolic meaning.He believes by joining different pencils and colours together represents a message of peace, harmony and an inclusive world.
But it’s not all easy going: “Right now, I am working day and night on it and face various problems. My fingers get injured. Handicraft is not an easy job. I’m doing it all alone. My fingers also bleed. I will get this swing made out of colour pencils registered in Guinness World Record once it is complete,” says Asif.
As well as promoting friendship Asif has set his sights firmly on the task of creating the world’s largest swing out of pencils and he’s hoping it’ll earn him a place in the Guiness Book of World Records.
He believes that every person is capable of achieving whatever they aspire to if they conquer their fears.
“I want to present this pencil swing as an example to the world. It teaches us that with different colours we can fight against terrorism/extremism. Once finished it will motivate aspiring artists to understand that every individual is a superman. Everyone is capable of doing anything if he believes in himself. Unfortunately people are afraid and this swing made out of colour pencils can take away fear and instill hope in young people in future,” says Asif.
He’s been been working on the swing for months and believes he’ll complete it by the end of this year.
Asif explains: “I used glue for pasting. I have also shaped wood into pencils. There were some pencils which were not available in Pakistan so I ordered them from abroad. I also purchased machines to help me make the swing. A few of the giant pencils I made myself. Initially, I couldn’t do woodwork but as time passed I learnt it. I have given shape to the swing and right now I am doing the decorative work on it.”
As well as the swing he is working on, Asif makes many other often complex objects to decorate his Karachi home.
He designs each object and every detail from his imagination, remembering where to place each small component.
Asif has plans for a grand design in the future, his ultimate goal will be to make a house entirely out of pencils. A place where he can display his pencil art for other aspiring artists to see.
