Fruit and Vegetable Carving
88Mukimono, Fruit and Vegetable Carving Art
About the Art
Fruit and vegetable carving is an art form, used mostly for decorations and sometimes to show artistic expression.
The origins of this art form are disputed (Thailand, China and Japan are suggested).
People who believe that this art form originated in China say it began in the time of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-906) and the Sung Dynasty (AD 960-1279) in China.
In Japan, fruit and vegetable carving art is called Mukimono which become popular in the Edo period, in sixteenth century, when Mukimono gained official recognition.
Those who believe fruit and vegetable carving originated in Thailand say it started during the Loi Kratong festival in the 14th century. Lots of intricate decorations are used during the Loi Kratong festival.
However, it was only in the mid 20th century, fruits and vegetable carving art began to grow outside Thailand. Today, this art form is popular the world over.
Nowhere can we see the popularity of fruit and vegetable carving as much as in Thailand. In Thailand this art form is taught in schools, and children as young as 11 years old are professionally trained.
Birds, flowers, trees and people are craved in fruit and vegetables, but you never know the limit of artists’ imagination. The art is mostly used for decorations, but also sometimes to exhibit artistic impressions.
Mukimono, fruit and vegetable carving art
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About the Artist
Artist: Sajan Thapa Magar
Art: Fruit and Vegetable Carving
Title: Mukimono
Objects used: Pomelo ( A fruit of citrus family found in Asia), lemon, eggplants, cucumber, watermelons, apple, cauliflower etc.
Sajan Thapa Magar, born in April 18, 1986, received his basic education in Dharan, a city located in the eastern part of Nepal. He is a self taught artist who held a solo exhibition of his arts at Gurukul, Kathmandu from November 18 to December 7, 2010.
His second exhibition, titled Mukimono (Fruits and Vegetable Carving), was showcased at Gurukul, Kathmandu in September, 2011.
Mr. Thapa Magar works as a theatre actor at Gurukul, one of the leading theatre companies in Nepal. He has performed in numerous plays and is well appreciated by the theatre critics in Nepal. Besides acting he also looks after lights, props and publicity departments at Gurukul, a School of Theatre.
Apart from performing plays and producing manpower for theatre, Gurukul also organizes art workshops and art exhibitions. At Gurukul, Sajan Thapa Magar got an exposure to numerous art events, which nurtured his interest in painting. In the beginning he copied other artworks, but as his creative impulse took rein over him, he marveled into his imagination. Today, he remains in touch with well established artists of Nepal like Prakash Chandwodkar, Karna Maskey and Kiran Manandhar, and has been receiving guidance and inspiration from them. After his first exhibition, he joined Kasthamandap Art Studio run by well established artists in Kathmandu, where he learned fruits and vegetable carving.
"On September 3, artist Sajan Thapa Magar, gave a perfect example of vegetable and fruit art by creating stunning art pieces from them. His artworks amazed the visitors who got opportunity to witness his creations at the art exhibition Mukimono held at Gurkul, Puranobaneshwor, Kathmandu.”
- The Himalayan Times, September 7, 2011
Mukimono
Different Emotions
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Mukimono
Carving Pain
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Photo story
- Nepal in Pictures
Nepal was announced Federal Democratic Republic in 2008. The country is 147,181 sq km and 75 percent of the land is covered by mountains. Several of the world’s highest mountains stretch along the Nepal-Tibet boarder. The country is sandwiched betwee - Happy Faces: Capturing Smile
Telling stories in pictures: A photographer’s journey
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Simply brilliant,
What a fun Hub! This art form is quite popular here in the States now. I am glad other people can create these things because I just like to eat the food. laugh
Thanks for a great time. I really enjoyed this one.
Funny display of veg carving best wishes
Ohh wow this is awesome.What an artistic and interesting display of carvings.Really enjoyed going through this hub.
Voted up,interesting and awesome.
Funny. :-) Good tips for parent with small kids. :-) Voted up!
Haha...oh my goodness these are amazing.
awesome....loved going through this hub of yours...thumps up!!
I really liked this hub. The pictures were a real treat.
I cannot remember a time when pumpkins weren't carved, but I have never seen other fruit carved in person. thanks for sharing these.
What a fun hub. Great photos! Amazing young artist and interesting text. Thanks for sharing this. Your pictures were so sharp that it felt like we were actually at the exhibit.
Voted up across the board including funny because the artist's whimsy was comical.
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Thanks you guys, I have been blessed with your wonderful compliments. Thanks for being with me.
Thank you for your support.
It's a great pleasure following you and each hub seems to be like another layer in the many facets of your creativity.
You are welcome, Happyboomernurse!
Hey Vinaya you should check out my other profile.
Hats off to the creative mind of Thapa Magar. He seems a person with exclusive and innovative ideas. He has d expertise to shape veggies in changing moods like humans.
Hats off to you as well who has presented his work so beautifully.
Good job done.
These veggies rock Vinaya Ghimire.
Very interesting article Vinaya and great pictures. I appreciate the history as well. You are such a creative person. Great job my friend. You have my votes. I had never knew of Thapa before this. Nice work:)
A really great and fun hub. I love the amazing photos showcasing this wonderful art form. I never knew that this existed, but some of the carvings are stunning. Voted up and interesting.
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Thank you my fellow hubbers, thanks for your appreciative comments.
Thank you for the link Vinaya Ghimire, how sweet is that! missingyou
Gotta show these wonderful carvings to my son...he might just get inspired to eat them...lol
voted up indeed Vinaya
Very impressive what can be done with food carving. Great photos and story.
@missingyou, its my pleasure.
@Ruchira, just make sure not to give your son scary looking pumpkin, he might be shocked. LOL
@Radha, thanks for your support.
What a brilliant and unique hub and I am sure many will enjoy this one.
I am bookmarking as a project for when my grandchildren come round.
Thank you for sharing and enjoy your days.
Eddy.
I have seen and done some of this kind of culinary art, but these pics are truly amazing!
@Eiddwen, thanks for your nice compliment. I feel delighted to know that you are sharing this with your grand children.
@jenubouka, I hope to see your culinary art someday. Thanks for your comment.
This fruit and vegetable carving is amazing art, I must give it a go! fabulous pictures, I love the apple!
Thanks for sharing a great hub and voting up.
Movie Master, thanks for your compliments.
These are amazing, I have seen many carving of fruit and vegetables into flowers, but these are somrthing else.
Wonderful hub and a very clever artist
Vinaya, You are a photographer and now you have got Thapa to perform for you. This is a very popular art form in India. Liked your photos much. Thanks for sharing.
With warm wishes,
MAKUSR
@Rosemary
@makusr,
Thanks for your visit. I have watched Thapa perform in plays, paint canvas and crave fruits. I have seen him growing.
This is absolutely amazing. This is my first time to see this kind of art-work. I esp' love the apple in the egg with a man's face. This takes much talent to do this. Thank you for sharing..
always exploring, thanks for your visit. I myself did not know about this art until I saw Thapa's creations.
Amazing carvings Vinaya. Not only the art of carving your photographs are also good.
Swathi180, I just wanted to give little push to this artist. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Vinaya
This was a very fun and interesting hub to read.
I have one thing in common with Sajan Thapa Magar. I was born on April 18th.
Thank you for sharing his talents through your amazing photographs.
Voted up and awesome.
Enjoy your day.
Hello Sueswan
Thank you very much for your comment.
That picture has fun details! I do lots of fruit carving during special occasion. And its awesome to see so much different kind of fruit carving ideas. The owl is too cute for me to eat! LOL. Love it! And I have a good laugh at the one with the cigarette. Vote up!
Hello Chan, thanks for stopping by. I feel happy that you enjoyed this hub.
Perfect Hub VG.. I don't know whether to enjoy the pictures more and I love the smoking fruit LOL up and way awesome
Frank, thanks for your appreciation .
That's a lovely work! I did enjoyed it! Keep it up!
Dear SpiritLeo,
Thanks for your appreciation.
Vinaya,
Your Hubs never cease to amaze me. Another excellent cultural essay with equally wonderful photographs.
Dear Daisy,
I learn from you, and you learn from me.
Thanks for appreciating my work
Hello Vinyana ~ Some of these are stunning others humorous and take some imagination to carve from the fruits and veggies. I've seen many of these before. Looks like fun projects to do with kids. Blessings, Debby
Dear Debby
I have never done this but it is fun to watch an artist carve fruit and vegetables. Children as young as 9 years are taught this art form in Thailand.
Regards
Dear Vinaya ~ Here in America, it is a common practice every Halloween to carve pumpkins, so most people have the experience on that one vegetable each year. Many office departments or buildings even have parties with carving contests. The results can be quite intricate, even like carving whole scenery, images, caricatures and famous personalities.
Dear Debby
Fruit and vegetable carving is actually an alien art form in Nepal. Population of Christian in Nepal is less than 5 percent, which means Halloween is quite unknown festival here.
Those are so creative. I love the owl. Thank you for introducing me to an art form I have never seen before! Bravo!
Hello tammyswallow, thanks for your visit. Fruit and vegetable carving is a wonderful art form.
Regards
Saw these via RedGate when I was browsing - these are amazing, great hub, very interesting. Voted up.
Jools99, now I believe RedGage is really working to bring traffic. Thank you very much.
Cheers
Good & knowledgeable hub! This reminded me of my childhood times when I took part in the vegetables carving competition in school. It was fun! This unique art promotes creativity and vivid imagination! Thank u for sharing. Interesting. Vote up.
This is an amazing hub with some fantastic work. Really enjoyed watching those pictures. I like the works especially the owl. Voted up and interesting.
@ishwarya,thanks for sharing your story. I have never done fruit or vegetable carving, but I love to watch artist working.
@dinkan,thanks for your wonderful comment
Vinaya this hub is awesome! The artwork created from these fruits and vegetables is fascinating. I attempted this a few times, but it didn't always work out. Lack or patience on my part. This art requires patience and technique. Thank you for sharing!
Hello Linda, thanks for sharing your story. I don't do fruit and vegetable carving but I enjoy artists doing this artwork.
Regards
Hi, Vinaya. I once saw an exhibition of fruit and vegetable carving in a resaurant in Bangkok. It was unusual and intersting but not half as amazing as the photos you have displayed. Thanks for this treat.
Hello drbj, thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment.
Interesting Hub
What an excellent idea to add fun to the dinner table. Though I don't know about putting cigarettes in the fruit. Voting this Up and Awesome.
@deenahere
@alocsin
Thanks for stopping by. True indeed, fruit and vegetable carving is very interesting art form.
Thanks for your comments.
This is an awesome hub! I'll be sharing this with my followers an friends outside of HP (I found your link thru FB hub hoppers!)
Great hub, it is amazing what talented people there are out there. I have seen tomato carved into a rose once but this was terrific.
Thank you for the great examples of vegetable art! They remind me of some of the vegetable carvings we've seen on cruise ships, but these are even more more fun! Voted up and shared!
This is art in my taste, creative, fun and so well done! You have done a wonderful article with great pictures and interesting text! Amazing!
Tina
This was such a fun hub..I loved the art work... so amazing. I guess the artist would have to have a vision for that certain fruit..the little lemon was cute with its big teeth..Thank you so much.
Sunnie
This is great have you shared it on pinterest?
I pinned it on my board. :)
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Wow, Vinaya - these pictures are *awesome*. You had me cracking up - thank you for brightening my day. :) Voted up and across and SHARING.
Hi Vinaya--really an amusing hub! I loved the owl! At least I think is was an owl!
@cclitgirl, I'm glad that your thought these pictures awesome. Thanks
@Audrey, thanks for your comment. I'm delighted that these pictures amused you. Yes, that was an owl, because I felt sick to eat that cucumber. LOl
congratulations on getting 1000 views for this hub!
Hello Flora, thank you very much.
I enjoyed this hub so much Vinaya! Those are awesome photos! :) I had never seen such entertaining photos of veges. Such fun.
Hi percy, I'm glad that I could entertain you with these pictures. Thanks for your lovey comment.
Cheers
Vinaya dear this is simply awesome.
Hello Aroosa, thanks for visiting this page.
I hope you enjoyed my photography.
Cheers
Informative and beautiful! I enjoyed your pictures. Have a blessed day. Peace.
This is so interesting. I would never think to do this. I've only seen pumpkins carved, but not so much other fruit. Cute hub and voted up!
These carvings are so expressive!
Fun hub! I like the gargoyle-like apple and the owl the best. Voted up!
That is so cool! :) Thanks so much for writing this Vinaya!
Vinaya this hub is quite the showpiece of creativity, and artwork. I really enjoy looking at your fruit and vegetable carving. You never know what is going to turn up here in the HP community. Thanks for sharing your workmanship. Voted up and awesome!
Awesome hub. I thoroughly enjoyed the art - how very unique! Thanks for sharing this!
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Thank you all for your wonderful comments.
This hub made my night!!! Too fun!!! I am impressed with Thapa Magar's art!!! Love the pics too! Voted up!!!
Oh my goodness, these fruit sculptures are so adorable, and scary at the same time (especially the ones with the cigarette and butcher knife!) That's interesting how Japanese children are taught to do this at a young age. Love the article! Voted up!
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Wow! this is so spectacular! I've never seen such a funny fruit like that. vote up awesome
Vinaya,
I came back for a second read of this fantastic article. I'm going to share your Hub with my followers.
Amazing! I had no idea vegetable carving has been around so long or where it originated. This is a very innovative hub with lots of good info. Photos are great as always! Voted up and interesting. Thanks for SHARING.
Pics are amazing, i like this hub :)
I love fruit and vegetable carving, and these photos are very funny. You could do another hub on beautiful, elaborate carvings. Voted up and awesome!
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Thank you all for your visit. I'm honored with your wonderful comments.
Great photos and a wonderful story. When I first saw fruit and vegetables turned into are I simply thought someone had too much time on their hands. It is interesting to know that it originated in the east somewhere hundreds of years ago. Voted up and interesting
Vinaya, this is absolutely brilliant. I must share and pimp it all over... :)
This is a great hub! I really enjoyed looking at this fruit art. Great artist! Beautiful pics voted up and shared!
What a great fun hub! I love the owl, and the rabbit! lol! what a fantastic artist, wonderful, nell
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Thank you all for your wonderful comment.
Regards
This is awesome
Oh s awesome! Could never think people can be this creative!
Dear Nare
Creativity has no limit. Thanks for your comment.
Cheers
I love these-- I am a fan of this sort of thing anyway, and these are some of the best I have ever seen-- what a talented guy this is.
Hello robie,
thanks for your comment.
Cheers
These carvings are amazing! It must have been so much fun to see all of them in person and to be able to take these photos. Thanks for the smiles this afternoon!
Dear Peggy,
thanks foe being generous with your comments.
Regards
These are amazing. Hilarious and cute, even if they are scary!
You made these carved vegetable faces? That's amazing!
@Millionaire, thanks for your comment. It is interesting to note that how expressions differ in these carvings.
@Natashalh, I'm not the artist but the photographer. Thanks for stopping by.
Beautiful Carvings! Loved it!!!
this is super cute..love this whole thing..this made me smile.
I truly enjoyed the food carving history here, and all the imagery. It goes to show that talent can even be found in the food categories for creative artistic displays, awesome hub! voted up and definitely getting shared elsewhere.
Your selfless levels of sharing here using links of others besides yourself, is also very nice of you and kind to do. Thanks for being such a cool individual, and so selfless as well as a compassionate writer.
This is amazing talent. I'm glad I came across this hub. So cool! Happy birthday, Vinaya. Many votes on this one!!!
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Regards
Your video is AMAZING! Love the music you selected!!!:)
Vinaya, this is great. What software did you use to make the video, it looks really professional. I'm going to give this a go.
@Sunshine, thanks for appreciating my work and leaving comment here, there, everywhere.
@Jools, I used Windows Movie Maker to create this video.
Thanks for your comment.
Vinaya,
This is one of my favorite hubs from you. The video rocks! It's really funny! You're a writer, an artist.. I see a lot of talent here.. keep up the good work:)
Hello Lovedoc,
thanks for always following my works.
Cheers
It was a great hub before. Now it is even better.
Hi poshcoffeeco,
thanks for watching the video.
Cheers
a very unique hub Vinaya and an awesome one...keep it up...love the photos...
Hi Raci,
thanks for stopping by and leaving a wonderful comment.
I appreciate your time on this hub.
Regards
Impressive fruit and vegetable carvings!
Dear Safa, thanks for your visit.
I'm honored and blessed with a writer friend like you.
Cheers
Wow, these are amazing! So much more interesting than our halloween pumpkins usually are. I’ll be trying a lot harder come October! Thanks for sharing this.
I love looking at the ordinary objects of our daily lives and seeing how somebody can take them and create them into something so amazing. This was a spectacular piece written about a very fun topic! Thanks for sharing all of the cool pictures as well!
Wow Vinaya,
I came back to check out the video and am so glad I did. It's truly awesome and looked so professional. As always, you were very generous about giving credit to everyone else who participated in its creation.
Voted up across the board and am sharing.
These are some very delicious looking pieces of art. I don't know whether to look at them or eat them. Very unique article I truly appreciate it. Voted up, beautiful, awesome, and shared.
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Regards
snakeslane Level 7 Commenter 5 months ago
Oh Vinaya Ghimire. This photo gallery of the vegetable carving is so much fun. Great that you got these fresh shots of the art. Mr. Thapa Magar sounds like an amazing young up and coming artist. This is so interesting. I've never seen anything like it except for Halloween pumpkin carving. Regards, snakeslane