Gandhi’s Three Monkeys is a thought-provoking representation of the ancient proverb, “Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.” The Japanese interpreted this concept with three monkeys, Mizaru, Kikazaru and Iwazaru. Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian social activist who pushed for nonviolent protest, treasured a statue of the three monkeys that he had received from a Japanese monk. Visit Gandhi’s Three Monkeys to see how the artist Subodh Gupta has interpreted this concept using bronze figures wearing military gear.
Instead of monkeys with eyes, ears or mouth covered, Gupta chose to create sculptures of human heads. One image is a terrorist wearing a balaclava, a hood covering his ears and face, leaving his eyes open. Another is a soldier wearing a helmet over his head and ears, with dark glasses covering his eyes, and his mouth visible but set in a stern expression. The third head wears a gas mask covering his eyes, nose and mouth, with his ears visible.
Notice the materials making up the sculptures. Gupta gathered plates, spoons, bowls, cups and other cookware to create the texturized parts of the sculptures, the hood, helmet and gas mask.
Gupta frequently uses household items and found objects to create artworks symbolizing contrasts, often between wealth and poverty. His interesting representation of the monkeys proverb creates a striking contrast of war and peace, with the household items offering a very domestic appearance on otherwise violent images. Gaze at the sculptures and contemplate his intended meaning.
Qatar is known for its arts initiatives, including numerous other large public installations. In Education City, see Damien Hirst’s The Miraculous Journey and the giant spider Maman by Louise Bourgeois. Richard Serra has two: 7 on the city waterfront and East-West/West-East in the western desert.
Find Gandhi’s Three Monkeys on a large brick plaza inside Katara Cultural Village. The three heads are clearly visible to visitors walking through the village or enjoying a meal at an alfresco restaurant nearby. Travel to this area by car in about 20 minutes from Downtown Doha. Nearby, visit Qatara Beach or the man-made Pearl-Qatar island with residences, shopping and dining.
