Public Sculpture Unveiled

His Highness the Maharaja of Baroda, Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, recently unveiled his public sculpture 'Vessels of Life' in our Botanic Garden.

The sculpture was commissioned by the University as a piece of public art in recognition of the Memorandum of Understanding between Durham University and MSU Baroda to develop and build research links between the two universities.

The design for the sculpture was inspired by the Institute of Advanced Study's 2009-10 'water' theme and was installed whilst the Maharaja was in Durham on an IAS Distinguished Fellowship at Grey College. Perhaps the most significant addition to the sculpture is a single tap, placed there to remind us how much we take the availability of safe, clean drinking water for granted.

The IAS 'Water' theme has been generously sponsored by Northumbrian Water and Louise Hunter, Northumbrian Water's Head of Corporate Responsibility, said: "In this country we are fortunate.

We can turn on the tap and take it for granted that safe drinking water will flow - but for millions of people elsewhere in the world access to clean drinking water is a matter of life and death. We are privileged and proud to be able to see the work of the Maharaja bring that message to life in a special sculpture to celebrate the Institute of Advanced Study's 'water' theme."