A Bokaro-based artist’s painting with coal dust has found a place in an online international art exhibition.

The work by Ajay Shankar Mahto, which depicts Jharkhand's culture and nature, was selected for the exhibition organised by the Positive Energy Art, an international open platform of art expressions in India, in collaboration with SEE-DIN Studio (Thailand), Charcoal Foundation Bangora (India), Shashtriya Art Studio (Mauritius), Kalagiri Arts and Culture Foundation (India), Rebel Art Space (Thailand) and Avant Garde Art Foundation (Thailand).

Mahto, a resident of Shilfor Suyadih village in Chandankiyari block of Bokaro district, said he feels proud that his painting has been selected for the international exhibition.

Ajay Shankar Mahto. The Telegraph picture

"It took me less than two days to finish the painting. Jharkhand is known for coal deposits and my work finding a place on an international platform makes me really proud,” he said.

Mahto uses oil, watercolour and acrylic medium for his paintings.

The exhibition started on March 25 and will conclude on April 20. Artists from India, United States, Germany, UAE, Turkey, South Africa, Iran, Iraq, Panama, Thailand, Algeria, Croatia, Senegal and Mauritius are part of the event.

The artist has previously made sand sculptures of M.S Dhoni, Swami Vivekananda, Gautam Buddha, Olympic Day and Kargil heroes.

An art lecturer at Ravi Mahto Smarak Teachers Training College in Dhanbad, Mahto did his masters in fine arts from Chandigarh-based Prachin Kala Kendra . He is planning to come up with yet another sand art and is also keen to spread awareness on the perils of pollution.

Mahto has received several awards including international human rights award and was also the Bokaro district icon (cVigil) during the parliamentary elections in 2019.