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Himmat Shah the original sculptor will always be remembered for his art. Known for his distinct artistic language, he had a unique unmatched vision. Here is my tribute to him.
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I have been procrastinating for a long time in publishing his interview that I did a few months back. Now I regret doing so. He passed away this month at the age of 92. A visionary sculptor and draftsman, Himmat Shah’s artistic journey spanned over six decades, leaving an indelible impact on contemporary Indian art. A fiercely independent thinker, Shah will always be remembered fondly. I was fortunate enough to attend his last exhibition in Mumbai and had a long conversation with him. Little did I know that this would be my last time with him.
In an interview with Firstpost, when asked about the turning point in his career, Shah said, “I don’t believe there was a single turning point in my life as a sculptor. Instead, I focus on the ongoing process of creation. My artistic journey began with various mediums, including painting, printmaking, and graphic art. A significant moment was when I worked on high-relief projects at St. Xavier’s School in Ahmedabad and experimented with different materials. In 1968, I created my first terracotta head, which marked a pivotal shift in my practice. Over the next 20 years in Garhi, Delhi (1967-2002), I dedicated myself to refining my terracotta work. My approach has always been to remain immersed in the act of creation itself.”
Shah’s contributions have been widely recognized through major exhibitions, including retrospectives at institutions like the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) and Lalit Kala Akademi. Throughout his career, he received several prestigious honors, including: Lalit Kala Akademi National Award (1956, 1962), Bombay Art Society Award (1962), Jammu and Kashmir University Gold Medal (1961), Sahitya Kala Parishad Award (1988), Kalidas Samman (2003) by the Madhya Pradesh Government.
When I asked him as to how he looks back at his journey, he said in his fiercely individualistic way, “I don’t tend to look back on my journey as a sculptor; my focus is always on moving forward and living in the present. I never consciously decided to become an artist or sculptor—it’s simply the process I enjoy. I don’t strictly define myself as a sculptor and remain open to moving on from this profession if it no longer feels right. The flow of creation drives me, and I remain deeply immersed in that moment.”
He also explained to me that he adopts a state of ’no mind’ while making sculptures. This allowed his art and thought to flow naturally. Not just bronze, he believed that terracotta too is an interesting medium to work with, but with some of the challenges because of its delicate and fragile nature. He shifted to Jaipur because he wanted to experiment with metals. “At that time, Thomas had a workshop in Jaipur and he was doing well at his job. I started creating Bronze heads, and explored all the possibilities.”
Himmat Shah’s passing marks the end of an era, but his artistic legacy continues to inspire future generations.
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