NEK CHAND (1924–2015)

Nida Najar reports in the New York Times_ that Nek Chand, an Indian artist who became known for several acres of land populated with his sculptures in the northern Indian capital of Chandigarh, died last Friday. Known together as the Rock Garden of Chandigarh, Chand’s sculptures throughout the garden are mostly made from found objects. The Rock Garden receives thousands of visitors a day and is a popular tourist destination.

Chand was born in 1924 in a village that later became part of Pakistan and came to Chandigarh just after India’s independence in 1947. Working for the government as a road inspector, he was fascinated by the objects and rocks he found and incorporated into his garden, which he claimed was started as a hobby. When local authorities learned of his work, a debate ensued over the future of the garden but a groundswell of support led to its official opening to the public in 1976 with Chand appointed its director, a post that he held until his death. Chand received many honors throughout his life, including a Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors.