Sudarsan Pattnaik Receives Fred Darrington Award for Outstanding Contribution to Art and Culture08 Apr 2025

Sudarsan Pattnaik, a renowned Indian sand artist, won the inaugural Fred Darrington Award for Excellence in Art and Culture for his 10-foot sand sculpture of Lord Ganesha promoting “World Peace.” Displayed at SandWorld in Dorset, the artwork honors Fred Darrington’s sand art legacy. Pattnaik received a gold medal and a glass wave with sand from his sculpture. As the first Indian at SandWorld, he dedicated the award to his fans, earning praise from Odisha's Chief Minister for showcasing India’s cultural heritage globally.

Key Points:

Historic Win for Sudarsan Pattnaik: Renowned Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik won the first-ever Fred Darrington Award for Excellence in Art and Culture for his 10-foot Lord Ganesha sculpture promoting “World Peace,” showcased at SandWorld in Dorset, UK.
Global Recognition of Indian Art: Pattnaik is the first Indian sculptor to exhibit at SandWorld. His award includes a gold medal and a glass wave containing sand from his sculpture, reflecting the global appreciation of India’s cultural and artistic heritage.
Celebrating Sand Art Legacy: The award commemorates 100 years of Fred Darrington’s sand sculpture legacy, with the festival co-founded by his grandson, Mark Anderson, who presented the award to Pattnaik—connecting past tradition with contemporary excellence.