Visitors to Elizabeth Quay this month are invited to see themselves literally reflected in Mahatma Gandhi's image.

Twelve iron and stainless steel works titled Mahatma In Me were created by Delhi-based artist Vibnor Sogani and brought to Perth as part of the Confluence festival of Indian culture.

Organisers of the festival hope they will inspire people to learn more about the iconic civil rights leader's message.

Sogani was commissioned by the Indian Government to create the works last year to celebrate the centenary of Gandhi's return to India from South Africa to spearhead the independence movement.

Vibhor Sogani, the Delhi artist who created Mahatma In Me. ( 720 ABC Perth: Emma Wynne )

"I am basically an abstract artist. I work in all kinds of metals and do three-dimensional works," Sogani said.

"When I started my work about Mahatma Gandhi I really didn't know how to start.

"So I started reading about him — and I realised that he was very ahead of his time.

"The issues that he was addressing then and his philosophies were very applicable to these times."

'Be the change you want to see in the world'

Sogani's body of work was inspired by one of Gandhi's most famous messages: "Be the change you want to see in the world."

"When you stand in front of the works, you will see yourself reflected in the portrait of the Mahatma," he said.

Each piece is accompanied by a quote from Gandhi.

Twelve Mahatma In Me panels stand outside the Bell Tower at Perth's Elizabeth Quay. ( 720 ABC Perth: Emma Wynne )

Sogani hoped that in addition to taking selfies with the works, viewers would also find the time to stop and think more about his words.

"It is for all of us to look at ourselves and maybe pause and realise that it is up to all of us," he said.

Borderless Gandhi project

The exhibition was brought to Perth by husband and wife team Nilesh and Lene Makwana who founded the Borderless Gandhi initiative, which aims to spread his messages through art.

"Borderless Gandhi's mission is lifelong for us; it is to promote the message of peace, equality and non-violence through artistic expression," Mr Makwana said.

"We hope people will take at least one value out of the artwork and carry on applying that to their lives — to make the world a better place."

One of Gandhi's character traits was persistence; one the team has had a lesson in themselves over the past three days.

Strong winds mean the panels are now attached to frames and secured by ropes to the boardwalk. ( 720 ABC Perth: Emma Wynne )

Setting up the outdoor exhibition on the weekend proved a challenge, after stormy weather and strong winds forced a late change in display plans.

Instead of being mounted on temporary white walls, the works had to be mounted on steel frames and anchored with ropes.

"This project has had a lot of setbacks and the last three days haven't been easy," Mr Makwana said.

"Anything to do with a project called Gandhi is never easy. He wasn't an easy man.

"But we managed to successfully open the exhibition."

Mahatma In Me is on display at Elizabeth Quay's Barrack Street Jetty daily until November 2.