DURGESH Srivastava is unlike any other artist working in Greater Manchester.
Her story is compelling due to the factor of age. Srivastava is a septuagenarian, i.e. in her '70s.'I love my work,' says Durgesh, 'and I'll keep doing it 'til I drop down."

Sitting in her home, which is peppered with her portraits, she speaks through serene smiles.'I was born in India. I lived there and, when I got married, came here with my husband and my three children.

My husband was a professor at Salford University. So I was alright. But my husband died in 1974 and I had to work.I worked until 1994 and then I decided to pursue my art.

I'd wanted to do my art from the beginning. But with my children and family I couldn't.'I took early retirement and studied hard.

I did a degree in Visual Arts and Culture at Salford Uni in 1995 - I was born in 1929,' she laughs. 'I started with watercolours: a mature artist doing landscapes. But it wasn't my intention. I wanted to do something more' so I tried my best in multimedia, print making - everything.'

At the Garden of Delights this weekend in Platt Fields Park, Durgesh will be installing copper sheets, etched with Hindu scriptures, hung from a tree. Why?

'Life is so stressful. People are getting ill - mentally, physically' I hope people will sit down and meditate - it's not religious,' she laughs.

But it is a good example of how installation can focus you - on one point in time and space - aside from the multiple, endless distractions of our hectic city. '

The full interview is available in this week's City Life magazine which can be purchased using the link below.

Durgesh Srivastrava is part of Garden of Delights, Platt Fields Park, Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield (224 2902), Fri 4-Sat 6.

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