Flight
Amar Nath Sehgal
Bronze
1980’s
Akbar Bhawan, 173 Satya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
The Amar Nath Sehgal Private Collection restored a public artwork in 2018 – 2019 that was installed in the 80s in the celebrated Akbar Bhawan.
Akbar Bhawan was designed by architect Shiv Nath Prasad. Its architectural style is inspired by Le Corbusier’s architectural style. The building is one of India’s best-known examples of brutalist architecture.
The sculpture takes on the fluidity and rigidity of a bird just before it takes flight.
The restoration project involved fixing its base structure by carefully replacing the stand that was decaying with rust. The team strengthened the sculpture with new metal attachments, carefully welded into the base of the sculpture. The project was treated with utmost care. The base was replaced with a new granite structure that elevates it to its former glory.
The restoration of the sculpture also included polishing and cleaning of the bronze work, again, through a careful detail-oriented process, using no chemical formulas.
We are happy to share that after the restoration project, the area around the sculpture also has been taken care of by the government. People working in the building today resonate with the work and care for it as a community would.
Before
After
Monument to Love and Non-Violence
Amar Nath Sehgal
Bronze
1963
Amar Nath Sehgal Private Collection, Jangpura, New Delhi
The sculpture was inaugurated in 1963 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King at the artist’s studio, now the Amar Nath Sehgal Private Collection in Jangpura. Envisioned as a tribute to two of the world’s most influential voices for peace — Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. — the work reflects their shared commitment to non-violence and justice, etched into this powerful bronze form by the artist.
The Amar Nath Sehgal Private Collection undertook the restoration of the sculpture. A painstaking task of cleaning, waxing, and carefully removing rust from its base, the team worked meticulously to bring back its original shine. The restoration was carried out with sensitivity and precision, ensuring that the integrity and spirit of the work remained intact while reviving its presence for future generations.
Before
After
Steeled Feathers
Amar Nath Sehgal
Iron
1953
Amar Nath Sehgal Private Collection, Jangpura, New Delhi
Steeled Feathers marks the early emergence of Amar Nath Sehgal’s fine craftsmanship. The sculpture is not about the bird itself, but what the feathers lend to it — a covering of strength and poise, protecting it from predators of all kinds. Each feather is individually welded together, creating a natural, rhythmic pattern that defines the work and demonstrates the artist’s technical precision and sensitivity to material.
The Amar Nath Sehgal Private Collection undertook a meticulous conservation process to revive the sculpture’s surface and preserve its intricate welded detailing. Through careful cleaning and surface treatment, the team restored its original presence while maintaining the integrity of the work. Now conserved, Steeled Feathers continues to stand proudly in the Sehgal Private Collection, reflecting the artist’s enduring craftsmanship.
Form
Amar Nath Sehgal
Bronze
1973
Amar Nath Sehgal Private Collection, Jangpura, New Delhi
Form is Amar Nath Sehgal’s abstract interpretation of Lord Ganesha, the Lord of Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles. Through a refined treatment of the trunk and head, the sculpture suggests the presence of the deity while embracing modernist abstraction. The gently flowing form and the use of negative space create a sense of balance, abundance, and serenity, reflecting Sehgal’s deep sensitivity to material, form, and spiritual symbolism.
The Amar Nath Sehgal Private Collection undertook the restoration of the sculpture through a meticulous process of cleaning, waxing, and carefully removing dust. The conservation work revived the sculpture’s surface and restored its original shine while preserving the integrity of the bronze. Made in 1973, the work is an enduring example of Amar Nath Sehgal’s craftsmanship and care to its intended form.
Before
After
