Bewildering bronzes by Dhruva Mistry

London based Grosvenor Vadehra presents a show of bronze sculptures by artist Dhruva Mistry drawn from the Nigel Greenwood collection, comprising important works that he made during his stay in London from 1987-1990.

Nigel Greenwood (1941-2004), an influential gallerist, spotted and nurtured several important artists including Christopher Le Brun, Stephen Cox and Gilbert & George, and of course, the work by Dhruva Mistry. He had two solo exhibits of the latter’s works at his gallery. By the second one in 1990, the talented artist had established himself as a force in British sculpture.

He was commissioned to make many large public works and won several competitions in the field. Some of the large-scale prominent sculptures include the Sitting Bull in Liverpool, Diagram of an Object (Second State), Churchill College, Cambridge, The River and The Guardians in Victoria Square Gardens in Birmingham. The latter is perhaps his most iconic work, depicting two stone guardians and the reclining nude in the fountain, dominating the main central square in the city of Birmingham.

Elaborating on Dhruva Mistry’s career graph, a press release mentions: “He started exhibiting his works while he was still a student at the University of Baroda in1974. Soon after, he was awarded a scholarship to attend the Royal College of Art in London. Here he met and integrated into the emerging generation of artists who went on to dominate art scene in London in the late 80s. In 1984, the artist went on to become an artist in residence at Kettle’s Yard Gallery with a Fellowship at Churchill College, Cambridge, where he was exposed to works by important British sculptors and painters. While he lived in London for sixteen years, it was these early experiences that influenced his work during the period under consideration (1987-1990) for the show.”

In 1997 Mistry returned to India and joined his alma mater in 1999 as the head of Sculpture and Dean in the Faculty of Fine Arts until 2002. This marked a turning point in his career as he sacrificed his career in the London art world. The return to academia enriched his sensibilities but resulted in less time for his work. At the same time a newer generation of ambitious younger artists began to dominate the burgeoning Indian art scene.

(Information courtesy: Grosvenor Vadehra)