World-renowned Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has been honoured with the inaugural Fred Darrington Award for Excellence in Art and Culture at SandWorld’s International Sand Sculpture Festival 2025, in Weymouth.
The award celebrates Sudarsan’s extraordinary contribution to global sand art and recognises his powerful 10-foot sculpture of Lord Ganesha, which conveys a universal message of world peace.
The ceremony marked the opening of a vibrant new season for SandWorld, commemorating 100 years of sand sculpting heritage in Weymouth. The town’s iconic golden sands have been transformed into breathtaking art for a century. Fred Darrington began sculpting in 1925, and amazed visitors for 70 remarkable years.
Crafted by local artist Stuart Wiltshire, the award itself is a bespoke glass wave sculpture, containing a small amount of Weymouth sand – a symbolic gesture to honour Sudarsan’s visit and the town’s rich creative tradition.
The award was presented by Mayor of Weymouth Jon Orell, alongside Naorem J. Singh, Minister (TNC & Culture) at the Indian High Commission in London, and SandWorld co-founders Mark Anderson and David Hicks. Mark, who also continues to sculpt on Weymouth Beach, is the grandson of Fred Darrington.
Sudarsan Pattnaik commented:
“It’s a great honour for me as an artist to visit Weymouth – the sand is one of the best in the world. For me and my country, this is a great honour. Thank you for giving me the platform to create my sculpture.”
Mark Anderson said:
“We’re delighted that Sudarsan is the first recipient of this prestigious award. My grandfather began sculpting in Weymouth 100 years ago. Presenting this award is a fantastic way to celebrate his legacy.”
Mayor Jon Orell added:
“I grew up in Weymouth and remember going to see Fred Darrington’s sculptures with my grandparents. Sand sculpting is a real part of Weymouth’s culture.”
Sudarsan’s award has propelled Weymouth’s sand and sculpting legacy onto the international stage, with major Indian news outlets such as The Times of India, News on AIR, and Sambad English sharing the story of his victory. The widespread coverage highlights the artistic excellence of Sudarsan’s work, the world-class quality of Weymouth’s sand – which artists praise as one of the finest for sculpting, and Weymouth’s sand sculpting heritage.
SandWorld is the UK’s only dedicated Sand Sculpture Festival, delighting visitors from around the globe with its celebration storytelling through sand.
Visitors to this year’s festival can view Sudarsan’s breathtaking Ganesha sculpture alongside an extraordinary lineup of giant creations from leading international artists – including prehistoric creatures, mythical beasts, and beloved characters. The attraction also features hands-on sculpting workshops for all ages, ensuring the tradition continues for generations.
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