Patrick Comerford
Tucked away in its own pocket ‘sculpture park’ behind Milton Keynes Gallery and the Theatre, ‘The Object’ (1995-1997) is an interesting sculpture by the Indian designer and sculptor Dhruva Mistry. I first noticed it after a recent visit to Campbell Park as I was heading for a coffee in Milton Keynes Gallery.
‘The Object’ is made from stainless steel and was developed by Dhruva Mistry from earlier works in which he combined images of the human figure with geometric forms, or used an object – such as a chair – to represent human presence.
In ‘The Object’, the sculptor has created a curious architectural structure of planes, crystalline forms and cut-outs that allude to fairytale palaces, dream castles or follies.
‘The Object’ is a curious architectural structure with a perplexing scale, quality and visual effect on viewers. As you move around the sculpture, perspectives become distorted and expectations are confounded. Although there seems to be an entrance, physical entry is impossible. In some ways, it works as space is contorted as in the drawings by the Dutch graphic artist MC Escher (1898-1972), with their optical illusions.
The Indian-born sculptor Dhruva Mistry came to England in his early 20s to further his career as a sculptor. His work combines the rich imagery and narrative of Indian art with the influences of western sculptural traditions. His commissions have included large public works such as his sculptural pieces for Victoria Square, Birmingham (1992-1993). He has had over 25 solo exhibitions and has been included in significant national and international shows. His works are in public and private collections in Britain, Japan and India.
Professor Dhruva Mistry was born in Kanjari in Gujarat in 1957 and studied sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Baroda (1974-1981), and the Royal College of Art, London (1981–1983). He was the artist in residence at Kettle’s Yard Gallery in Cambridge with a fellowship at Churchill College, Cambridge (1984-1985). He returned to India as Professor of Sculpture and Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts in University of Baroda (1999-2002).
Mistry’s work reflects individual curiosity and personal interest, drawing inspiration from a diversity of civilisations and cultures, including Indian, Chinese, Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, European, Mayan, Oceanic, African, tribal, folk, old, new and modern.
‘The Object’ was exhibited at the Goodwood Sculpture Park in Sussex in 1995-1997 and is now at the Milton Keyne Art Gallery.
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