Dev Mehta’s art brings cheer to disabled patients at Nina Foundation

Dev Mehta started painting at a young age of six years and says that his artistic talent is a gift from God. For more than 10 years, Dev Mehta has been using his creativity to add beauty to the annual desk calendars of Nina Foundation.

Dev Mehta is all set to showcase his artwork in an upcoming solo s how, his third exhibition in Mumbai. Called Modernspective The exhibition from 17-21 September will have 28 paintings on display.

A child prodigy, Dev is gaining national and international acclaim but says its the work he does for the NGO Nina Foundation that gives him the greatest satisfaction. ”I feel happy about being associated with Nina Foundation and through it the people who have seen my art and appreciated it. It always feels nice when people tell me that my art helped them feel better and happier.”

Based in Mumbai, the NGO supports people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in India. Among Dev’s biggest fans is Ketna L Mehta, the founder trustee.

Dev started painting for our annual desk calendars when he was a small boy. His contribution to our calendars has helped us in bringing art to people with disabilities. The calendars are used by people with disabilities, doctors, therapists and his art has provided a much needed feel good factor to people over the years. He has never been overwhelmed by the canvas and has been creating amazing artworks. – Dr Ketna L Mehta, Founder Trustee, Editor Nina Foundation

Dev is also a gifted photographer. In 2018, he became the youngest solo photographer to have an exhibition at Mumbai’s Jehangir Art Gallery. His talent finds expression in various forms like installations and mediums ranging from the digital, paper, and canvas, and photography.

A self-taught artist, he believes art is not about perfection. “Art is without proportion and that is what makes it one of the most amazing things that we have. To be asked to draw or paint as per a set of rules and a defined proportion is not art. Art is not about perfection it is about expression, emotion, imagination, dreams and creation”.

As his passion for canvas has grown, so has Dev’s understanding of art. From the spiritual to the contemporary and now modern, his perspectives portray his inner journey as an artist.

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