Niyamat Mehta Brings the Florentine Atelier to New Delhi
Sculptor Niyamat Mehta hosts Sculpt Someone You Love at Zetu, Mehrauli, blending classical European techniques with intimate human connection.
In an intimate fusion of classical European artistry and contemporary social connection, sculptor Niyamat Mehta recently hosted Sculpt Someone You Love at Zetu, the newly launched modern Sri Lankan restaurant in Mehrauli, New Delhi.
Curated by Cities Without Houses India, the event transformed a traditional art session into a sensory "artist’s dinner party." The gathering brought together members of the Soho House creative community to engage in a slow-paced, playful exploration of portraiture, observation, and human connection.
A Sensory Journey Through Clay and Conversation
Moving away from the rigid formality of conventional art classes, the experience was designed around the philosophy that the most profound conversations often occur when hands are busy. Guests were invited to bring a partner, friend, or family member to create clay portraits of one another, focusing on the act of seeing a familiar face with fresh, undivided attention.
The three-hour programme was a multi-sensory affair, featuring:
- A 90-minute guided sculpting session led by Mehta.
- Seasonal small plates and curated snacks by Zetu.
- A carefully selected wine pairing and musical accompaniment.
- An atmospheric scent profile featuring sandalwood to enhance the environment.
The session was designed for an intimate group of 10–12 participants, with a total of 25–30 guests in attendance. To immortalize the moment, each finished sculpture was photographed against a styled backdrop, intended for branded frames, alongside personalized takeaways like event pamphlets and branded paper bags.
The Art of Noticing
For Mehta, the objective was not the pursuit of technical perfection, but the depth of the experience itself. “Sculpt Someone You Love was about giving people a reason to look at someone they know well in a completely different way,” Mehta remarked. “Portrait sculpture asks you to slow down and notice the smallest things — the tilt of a head, the shape of a cheek, an expression. The sculpture did not need to be perfect. The point was the time spent making it together.”
From Florence to New Delhi: The Rise of Niyamat Mehta
Born in 1999, Niyamat Mehta is an emerging force in the contemporary art world. Her practice is defined by a rigorous discipline, having trained at the prestigious Florence Academy of Art on the banks of the River Arno. This foundation in classical anatomy and life observation allows her to blend European traditions with contemporary explorations of mythology and movement.
Mehta’s rising international profile includes:
- Exhibitions at Palazzo Albrizzi during the 2022 Venice Biennale.
- Solo exhibitions at Bikaner House, New Delhi.
- Works featured at Bonhams London.
- A scheduled US debut at Bonhams in New York in December 2026.
Operating from her New Delhi studio, Atelier Della Firenze, Mehta continues to push the boundaries of her medium through interdisciplinary collaborations. Following a 2026 collaboration with Indian couturier Varun Bahl, her latest project with Cities Without Houses India further cements her reputation for bringing fine art into the sphere of lifestyle and social connection.