From Florence to Bonhams: Sculptor Niyamat Mehta on Atman and the Power of Inner Stillness

Celebrated for her refined sculptural language Niyamat Mehta represents a new generation of Indian artists gaining global recognition Trained in Florence and influenced by both Indian philosophy and European art history her work Atman has now entered the secondary market through Bonhams Reflecting on this moment Mehta notes that the platform brings the work before ldquoserious collectors deeply engaged with art and its longterm valuerdquo Anchored in bronze Atman invites viewers into a quiet space of introspection and selfawarenessThe Conceptual Origins of AtmanAtman emerged from a period of inward listening Rooted in the Indian understanding of tman as the true self beyond roles and expectations the sculpture reflects my ongoing inquiry into inner consciousness stillness and moral awareness Irsquove always felt a deep connection to horses symbols of instinct dignity and quiet power and that sensibility subtly informs my work As someone who experiences life intuitively and deeply Irsquom drawn to forms that hold restrained strength and contemplation Atman is less about declaration and more about presence a moment of selfrecognition held gently in formWhy Bronze Became the Chosen MediumBronze felt instinctive for this work Having spent a great deal of time in Europe Irsquove been deeply influenced by museums where some of the most celebrated sculptures in Western art history are cast in bronze Encountering those works made me aware of the mediumrsquos ability to carry time weight and presence Beyond its technical demands bronze has an inherent richness it holds depth warmth and permanence which felt essential for expressing an introspective inwardlooking theme like AtmanBalancing Classical Foundations with Contemporary EmotionClassical art is something Irsquove absorbed over time through observation study and lived exposure and it forms a strong foundation in my practice Contemporary emotion on the other hand comes more intuitively through creativity and personal experience When Irsquom sculpting I consciously bring the two together My latest collection is a good example the horse and portrait forms are rooted in classical structure and proportion while the textures colours and surface treatments are distinctly contemporary That balance allows the work to feel both grounded and emotionally aliveFrom Exhibition to Auction Atmanrsquos Evolving JourneyAtmanrsquos journey takes an important turn at this stage Having been exhibited in London its entry into the secondary market through a platform like Bonhams an Agrade highly prestigious institution in the art world gives the work a different kind of visibility It places the sculpture in front of a more seasoned audience serious collectors who are deeply engaged with art and its long term value For me this marks not just broader reach but a meaningful shift in how the work is seen contextualised and collectedInterpreting Atman Across Global AudiencesAs an artist I can only hope that Atman is received for what it truly is While cultural contexts may differ the emotional language of the work is rooted in introspection and selfawareness experiences that are universal If international audiences are able to pause reflect and form their own quiet connection with the sculpture I feel the work has done its jobCultural Memory and Indian Influences in the WorkMy Indian heritage surfaces in Atman through cultural memory rather than overt symbolism Horses have long held an important place in Indian culture representing strength spirit and continuity and Irsquove always felt a personal connection to them I enjoy incorporating elements of Indian culture into my work in subtle intuitive ways allowing tradition and personal memory to quietly inform the form rather than define it outrightA Milestone Moment at a Prestigious Auction HouseIt honestly feels like a milestone Irsquom still digesting To see Atman placed alongside modern and contemporary South Asian masters artists like MF Husain Raza Tyeb Mehta and Thota Vaikuntam is something I once only dreamed of For this to happen through Bonhams makes it even more special I couldnrsquot have asked for a more meaningful way to close the yearReflecting on Atmanrsquos Place in Her PracticeI wouldnrsquot necessarily call it a turning point because when I create a work Irsquom not thinking about how far it might go commercially That said Atman does feel like itrsquos having its moment and it has opened up new conversations around my sculptural practice Irsquom simply looking forward to seeing how far the work can travel and how it continues to evolve from here

From Florence to Bonhams: Sculptor Niyamat Mehta on Atman and the Power of Inner Stillness

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From Florence to Bonhams: Sculptor Niyamat Mehta on Atman and the Power of Inner Stillness

Other Articles

Mid-Day Fast