Tree of Life

Tree of Life (Kalpavriksha) is one of those pieces that flowed straight from my hands with joy. I sculpted it as a tribute to the Kalpavriksha — the mythic wish-fulfilling tree from Hindu tradition — but also as a celebration of nature’s abundance and quiet magic.

Each bird, leaf, and swirl was shaped with care, using air-dry clay to build a raised, textured surface that feels alive to the touch. The peacocks and songbirds nestled in its branches remind me of stories I grew up with — vibrant, rhythmic, full of grace. I chose bold, harmonious colours to echo the energy of the tree itself: generous, grounded, and full of movement.

This sculpture is my way of honoring the interconnectedness of life — a joyful offering that invites viewers to pause, look closely, and feel something ancient and tender beneath the surface.

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Sandhya Mulchandani is a relief sculptor and exhibiting artist based in Adelaide, known for her poetic, tactile interpretations of Australian flora and fauna. Her work celebrates native species through vibrant color palettes, intricate textures, and multidimensional storytelling — each piece a tribute to ecological wonder and whimsical charm.
With a background in engineering and a deep respect for anatomical and botanical accuracy, Sandhya’s sculptures blend precision with playful abstraction. Her current body of work explores birds, mammals, and plant forms in air-dry clay, often rendered in bas-relief to evoke intimacy and movement. She delights in experimenting with surface detail and color harmony, creating artworks that invite touch as much as contemplation.
Rooted in iterative exploration and narrative resonance, Sandhya’s practice celebrates Australia’s biodiversity with warmth, curiosity, and poetic flair. Her sculptures offer a quiet invitation to pause, connect, and rediscover the magic of native species — whimsical yet precise, grounded yet imaginative.