Niyamat Mehta: The Young Sculptor Creating Space For Pause And Presence

Niyamat Mehta is a rising sculptor known for merging classical techniques with emotionally resonant contemporary forms. The youngest artist to exhibit at the 2022 Venice Biennale, her work invites viewers to pause and look inward, as she believes “quiet work allows space for reflection.” Rooted in Indian heritage and global training, Mehta creates sculptures that hold emotion and cultural memory, encouraging connection beyond language and time.

The Relevance of Inner Consciousness in a Noisy World

I think we’re living in a time of constant noise and external pressure, where people are rarely encouraged to pause or look inward. Themes of inner consciousness and self-awareness feel especially relevant now because they offer a sense of grounding. Quiet work allows space for reflection, and in that stillness, people often recognise something of themselves.

Sculpture as a Medium for Emotional and Cultural Dialogue

Contemporary sculpture has the ability to hold emotion and cultural memory in a physical, lasting way. In a fast-moving world, it asks people to slow down and engage with form, presence, and material. By drawing from personal and cultural experiences, sculpture can create quiet yet powerful conversations that cross borders, allowing different audiences to connect through shared emotion rather than language.

Intuition Over Narrative in the Creative Process

Storytelling doesn’t play a direct role in my sculptural practice. I’m more interested in creating intuitively, allowing form, material, and emotion to lead rather than constructing a narrative. For me, the work is about presence and creativity — leaving space for the viewer to bring their own interpretation to the sculpture.

Balancing Tradition and Modernity as an Artistic Responsibility

For me, creative responsibility lies in maintaining a balance between tradition and modernity. I don’t believe one can exist meaningfully at either extreme. Tradition gives structure and depth, while engaging with contemporary art allows me to stay aware of how visual language is evolving. My responsibility is to honour what has come before, while remaining open to how art continues to take shape in the present.

Pressure, Visibility, and the Reality of Being a Young Artist Today

I’m not sure it’s about freedom as much as it is about competition. With the growing infrastructure in the art world today — art fairs, biennales, multiple galleries, and platforms — there’s far more visibility, but that also brings heightened comparison and expectation. In my opinion, pressure is a privilege. It means the ecosystem exists, and there’s something to strive for.

Learning Through Lectures and Masterclasses

I see lectures and masterclasses primarily as sources of knowledge. You absorb as much as you’re ready for at any given moment. They don’t directly influence my work in an immediate way, but they contribute to learning, awareness, and perspective, which naturally sit in the background of my practice.

Building a Meaningful and Enduring Legacy

I hope to build a legacy that people can remember and reflect on — work that resonates beyond its time. For me, it’s never just about money; it’s about creating something meaningful, something that holds emotional and artistic value long after it’s made.

Looking Ahead After Bonhams

Bonhams is a milestone I’m still absorbing, and it feels very special. Looking ahead, I have a full calendar until next summer — commissioned projects, upcoming shows, and new explorations in my work. There’s a lot happening, and I feel very grateful to be in this place in my career, with the freedom to continue evolving creatively.

The above information is the author's own; Outlook India is not involved in the creation of this article.