Nek Chand Saini
Nek Chand Saini’s world-renowned sculpture garden, now known as The Rock Garden, was originally called The Kingdom of Gods and Goddesses. At first it was built singlehandedly and in secret by Saini, who collected discarded junk and building materials (some from Le Corbusier’s nearby planned city Chandigarh) and created an organic, flowing garden of passageways and platforms populated with animals and people.
Originally hidden within a forest and illegally occupying the space, the work-in-progress came to light in 1972 and, after initial condemnation by the authorities, gained institutional support and legalised status on the back of massive public interest. It also meant a team of builders working for Saini, which helped the completion of the garden which now occupies 40 acres of land.
Although the garden has similarities to other outsider art installations and sites, and perhaps echoes of Gaudi’s Parc Güell, The Rock Garden is uniquely Saini’s vision. It is his quirky characters and animals who sparkle with broken china, bottle tops and mirrors, his arches and walkways, doorways and embankments, his mosaics and waterfalls, many inspired by stories his mother told him as a child
This summer, until 15th September, The Gallery of Everything in Marylebone, London celebrate the centenary of Saini’s birth, and his artistic achievement, with an installation of his work from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, including original ceramic and bangle figures. You can also see some of the exhibits here (scroll down) and visit The Gallery of Everything’s website here.
The Kingdom of Gods & Goddesses is a short film by The Museum of Everything, starring Nek Chand Saini and also showing much of the garden:
7.The Museum of Everything Nek Chand Saini Hayward Gallery [London] 2013 from The Gallery of Everything on Vimeo.
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Rupert Loydell
The official website of The Rock Garden Chandigarh is here.
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