The artist

From today's Times, "Indian Artist Enjoys His World Audience"

So, India's most sought after modern painter, who lives in a fourth-floor walk-up in an "unremarkable" Bombay suburb (and unremarkable Indian suburbs are that), was asked what the recent $1.58 million sale of his work meant to him.

"Meaningless," he said.

"Good it happens in our lifetime."
He continued,
"I'm 80 years old. I could be bumped off anytime by the Almighty."

It took Mr. Mehta 12 year of painting, his wife working outside the home, to sell his first works. For $30. He will realize zero profits from the recent sale which exists in the heady realm of secondary and tertiary art sales.

To the artistic struggle at its purist - what a man.

C