"FROM THE DEPTH OF THE MOULD" MEERA MUKHERJEE (1923-1998) A CENTENARY TRIBUTE Edited by Tapati Guha-Thakurta One of the most prolific sculptors of late 20th century India, Meera Mukherjee chose a mode of metal sculpting and a lifestyle that set her apart from most other artists of her time. The momentous turn in her career came with her decision to undertake a countrywide study of traditional metal crafting communities and techniques. This, in turn, propelled the radical shift in her choice of sculpting methods and more broadly in her notion of art as labour and collective practice. Using a translated title from one of the artist's own writings, From the Depth of the Mould, the book uses the metaphor of her mould-making and casting process to look closely at the themes of labour and work, material and technique, struggle and resilience in her life story. Like her moulds, the artist's persona and productions emerge in these pages through layers of different kinds of writing and visual imagery. This is both an art and archival book, presenting hitherto unpublished photographs, personal papers as well as a rich spread of articles, memoirs and images. Publication Galerie 88 & Jadavpur University Press