Nek Chand is the creator of the world's greatest visionary environment, the Rock Garden of Chandigarh. Initially built in secret, the twenty five acre site is now one of the most visited places in India. Nek Chand has been honoured by the Indian government and his work has featured on Indian postage stamps.

Made almost entirely from recycled waste over a period of 33 years, the Rock Garden consists of countless hundreds of sculptures set in a series of linked courtyards and walkways. Many of the statues, depicting all levels of Indian society and animal life, are coated in a mosaic of broken crockery, others in broken bangles, pebbles or iron foundry slag. Walls are constructed from pebbles, plastic moulds, old fluorescent tubes.

Huge waterfalls are linked by a series of streams to a complex pumping system. A mass of carefully sited trees and plants complete the combination of made and natural forms that make up the wonder of this extraordinary environment.

The final phase of the Rock Garden, now under construction, consists of a high palace structure and huge sculptural forms with figures over fifteen feet high.

In spite of his world fame Nek Chand has had considerable difficulty over the past few years in receiving funding and security for his great project. When he was away from Chandigarh last year the Rock Garden was attacked and badly vandalised. He is still faced with the task of repairs. Work on the final phase has almost ground to a standstill through lack of financial support.

The Nek Chand Foundation will aim to raise funds around the world to secure for Nek Chand a loyal workforce and the materials he needs to repair and complete the Rock Garden. If enough funds can be raised, Nek Chand believes he can finish his project within three years. Thereafter the Nek Chand Foundation will continue to pay the salaries of a small staff who will maintain and secure the Rock Garden into the future.

The Nek Chand Foundation will be based in London and will work with its Indian branch, The Friends of the Rock Garden, to administer funds to Nek Chand in Chandigarh.

Julia Elmore
The Nek Chand Foundation
22 Jackson Road
East Barnet
Herts.
EN4 8UT

Tel: +44 (0) 208 441 9229
e-mail: info@nekchand.com
website: www.nekchand.com