From the nimble workmanship of Dharavi-based sculptor Vandana Kori comes Still Life, a life-size installation of a pregnant woman studded with glass bottles and glistening in blue. Still Life is about the idea that pregnancy is a natural state, but that there are risks associated with it for which medical care is necessary. At the same time, there are concerns that we might get too concerned about pregnancy and lose sight of its natural beauty.

Incorporating 11,000 surgical vials, Still Life sits quietly on the fine line between nature and medicalisation. Each of the glass vials was sourced from Prem Nagar, a crowd of tiny work units where bottles are dumped for washing. The washed bottles are sourced by pharmaceutical companies for re-packing, making the little vials perfect bearers of Still Life’s theme.

Mentor ARTIST 

Vandana Kori