Fragment No.4

The Descent of the Ganges, Mamallapuram India (7th century CE)

Carved into a massive granite boulder, this vast relief tells a layered story — the sacred Ganges descending from the heavens, or perhaps Arjuna’s penance.

When choosing which fragment to draw, I was drawn to a section that feels unfinished. You can see figures emerging from the rock — part-formed, still in the process of becoming. It’s a rare glimpse into how the carving was made, and a reminder of the human hand behind the monument.

I’ve always loved Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures for the same reason. There’s something deeply moving about work that’s still in progress. It feels more alive, more relatable, somehow more honest than a perfectly polished surface.