Art Buzz (Mumbai) Sanjeev Khandekar

Metamorphoses by Jehangir Jani

(Nalini S Malaviya)

Jehangir Jani, the Mumbai based artist was in town for the opening of his new exhibition ‘Metamorphoses’ comprising of fibreglass sculptures and drawings. I found his sculptures delightfully whimsical and suggestive of a trace of humour. The myriad heads are those of hybrid creatures – part human and part animal. The gold foil accentuates the animal characteristics against a featureless form of the black human head. Lionman, Elephantman, Rhinoman among other hybrid creatures surprise the viewer with their absurdity, craftsmanship and expressiveness. In these creatures of fantasy, the beastly quality presented against the stark and smooth metallic finish of the heads may even disturb the viewer. One feels that the animal traits in a human being are expressed with a sharp wit.

According to Jehangir, as we move towards being a more ‘civilised’ culture, we tend to suppress our animal instincts, but then it manifests itself in various other ways. He points out how the twentieth century was an era of discovery, knowledge acquisition and inventions, yet this phase was marked by wars and blood baths. Not to forget the growing number of troubled people turning to therapy.

I felt that the apparent contrast between the sophisticated appearance of the sculptures against the rawness of the drawings presents an interesting study. The drawings are in two sets, where the larger ones focus on internal strife and chaos, while the smaller works are darker and appear more intense, projecting the physical attributes of the brain itself in various adaptive stages in response to stimuli.

(The exhibition will be on till August 6 at Gallery Sumukha)

Digital Fix

On a completely different note, in this technological day and age you don’t expect anyone to be unfamiliar with either e-mails or use of computers. Well, there are artists who are far removed from technology, and rely completely on traditional methods of communication and painting. Then, there are artists who are so proficient with technical advances that they use it as a tool to create their art around it.
It is common to see artists taking digital photographs and modifying them with photo editing software - playing around with colours, backgrounds and other features (adding and deleting elements). And, some then print it on canvas and fill in the colours. There is a school of thought that believes that art should be completely done manually, and there are buyers reluctant to invest in such paintings (remember, here we’re not talking about digital art).

While, this is debatable, what the artist can do is to state clearly how the painting has been done and then leave it to the buyer to decide whether he wants to buy a digitally aided work or not.

(Published in Bangalore Mirror)

Risks and returns in art investment

(Nalini S Malaviya)

Although, the art market cannot be directly compared with buying stocks, shares or mutual funds, there are a few similarities between them. In both the cases there is an element of risk involved and one needs to do a complete research before investing.
However, if one is buying art for its intrinsic value, then there is no risk attached and one can enjoy the artwork as long as they wish. However, when buying art for investment, the risk is linked to the investment cost and the projected returns.
Here too one can divide the investment portfolio according to the risk category and thereby distribute the risk factor.

The percentage of risk is highest when buying new and lesser-known artists. Investing in an artist who is well established and is doing well at international auctions also, is a safe option, however their prices may have already spiralled beyond the range of most investors. In such a case one can look at the next level of artists who are poised to hit the big league.
Having said that, the top category of senior artists is the safest option to invest in provided one’s budget has the flexibility. Next, one can also consider names that are performing consistently at international and domestic auctions and are associated with good quality works. Typically, this mid–segment bracket comprises of works of artists who are fairly established and are backed by an encouraging track record.

The high-risk segment would comprise works by promising artists who are in the process of getting established and are beginning to make a name for themselves. Investing in this group has the highest risk, but the returns can also be dramatic in the long term, provided the artist sustains himself and the Indian art market continues to grow at the present rate. In general, young artists who are promoted by credible art galleries are most likely to perform well in terms of their prices.

(Published in Financial Times)

Art Buzz (Mumbai) Ravi Shah

Art Buzz (Bangalore) Krishnappa

Art Buzz (Bangalore) Across the Threshold

Mahua Art Gallery invites you to a preview of Across the Threshold, an exhibition of contemporary paintings and sculptures celebrating the Launch of its 2000 sq ft gallery at Sadashivnagar, Bangalore on the 2nd of August from 7pm onwards at Sadashivnagar, Bangalore.

The exhibition will continue from the 3rd of August to 16th of August, 2008.

A Veritable Treasure Trove - Art Collection at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore

How many people know that Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath houses collections of art from early 19th century onwards? I have been a frequent visitor to their campus and have often visited the art exhibitions that are organized here on a regular basis, but somehow never went upstairs, which is where the galleries are. So, last week, at the behest of Harish Padmanabha, who incidentally is an avid art collector, I went there in search of Krishna Reddy’s prints.

I found that the Parishath has permanent galleries that showcase paintings by the Russian painter Nicholas Roerich, his son Svetoslav Roerich (whose estate is in the news for all the wrong reasons!), HK Kejriwal’s art collection, traditional and folk paintings, and leather puppets from the private collection of Nanjunda Rao.
 

The Roerichs’ collections are quite comprehensive and one can see Nicholas’s brilliant landscapes, Svetoslav’s fascinating portraits including those of Devika Rani and Nehru, and the Himalayan landscapes.
The Kejriwal collection features mainly the Bengal artists and a few other prominent artists from across the country. Whether these are the best works from the concerned artists is debatable, but the fact remains that it offers a fantastic opportunity to students and art lovers to get acquainted with a cross-section of some of India’s finest artists. Amrita Sher-Gil, Jamini Roy, Rabindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore, AR Chughtai, MF Husain, SH Raza, FN Souza, Shayamal Dutta Ray are just some of the names on these walls. The gamut of works (1830 to 1995) offers valuable insights into the history of art as it evolved from modernism to contemporary style. And, the art of Bengal, in particular that ranges from its folk art traditional format to its contemporary form.


The abstract graphic prints by Krishna Reddy, an internationally acclaimed printmaker are spectacular and a must watch. They are placed towards the far end of the exhibit space and one must remember to see them.
By the time I finished the contemporary art gallery my energy levels were flagging and I could not do justice to the traditional artworks, so another visit is on the cards.

Incidentally, the Parishath also has an ‘Art Mart’ where it sells works by upcoming and fairly established artists. Priced between Rs 2000 to a lakh or so, it offers a variety of pleasant pictures at an affordable price. But, if you looking for art as an investment then you need to come here armed with all the information. Also, there are various publications on sale, such as from the Lalit Kala Academy and Marg, books on art and prints.

(Published in Bangalore Mirror)

Updated on 8th Jul 2013 for title tags and labels

Art Buzz (Bangalore) Group Show

Art Buzz (Bangalore)

Art Buzz (Bangalore) Jehangir Jani

Art Buzz (Bangalore) Group Show

List of art institutes, India

In continuation with the post on 'A career in fine arts', here's a list of colleges/institutes for fine arts.

You can help me update the list - send me names of art colleges not mentioned here.

1. Faculty of Fine Art, MS University, Baroda
2. National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
3. Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai
4. The Academy Of Fine Arts, Kolkata
5. Department of Fine Arts, Vishva Bharati University, Santiniketan
6. Faculty of Fine Arts, Rabindra Bharthi University, Kolkata
7. College of Art, New Delhi
8. Faculty of Art, University of Delhi, Delhi
9. Department of Fine Arts & Art Education, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
10. Faculty of Fine Art, Punjab University, Chandigarh
11. Chitra Kala Parishath, Bangalore
12. Faculty of Arts Bangalore University, Jynana Bharathi, Bangalore
13. Ken school of Art, Bangalore
14. Srishti School of art, Design & Technology, Bangalore
15. CAVA, Mysore
16. Faculty of Fine Arts, Agra University, Agra
17. Faculty of Arts, Banaras Hindu University,Varanasi
18. College of Arts & Crafts, Lucknow
19. College of Arts & Crafts, Chennai
20. Faculty of Arts, Goa University, Goa
21. Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram

(This is an indicative list and not an endorsement)

A career in fine arts

(Nalini S Malaviya)

There have been a considerable number of mails requesting for various kinds of information on a career in fine arts. This has come from students at the threshold of selecting a profession and also from professionals looking at making a career switch. Then, there are a few homemakers who have been pursuing art as a hobby and would now like to take it up as a full time profession.
For the first category, I would suggest that students interested in a career in art should decide only after consulting a professional counsellor, who will help them evaluate their aptitude and suitability in this field. A career in fine arts may appear to be filled with glamour and glitz to those from the outside, thanks to the million dollar sales. And, now that artists are appearing regularly on the page 3 circuits there is a lot of visibility as well. But, as a profession, fine arts is like any other career. Remember, there is a huge number of artists who struggle to make even ends meet, and to establish oneself can be a long and tedious journey. Creativity and talent are just some of the prerequisites needed to be successful as an artist. A career counsellor can provide all the necessary details regarding institutes and colleges and also on the diverse sub-categories that one can opt for.

For professionals who want to work as artists, they should consider the financial implications before making any drastic move. But before that, they must be sure if they have the capabilities to make it as a fine artist.
I would like to point out that it is always difficult, especially initially, for self taught artists and painters to be taken seriously by critics and collectors. Incidentally, MF Husain, Arpana Caur and Badrinarayan are some of the self-taught artists who have found tremendous success. Women artists who have a background in fine arts may find it easier to get acceptance. Especially, homemakers who have a degree in fine arts may fine it fairly straightforward to get into mainstream, whereas it might be a little difficult for the occasional hobby painters.

All said and done, one should make a career choice for the right reasons. It is so much more satisfying when one does something because one enjoys it.
However, do remember that art by itself is an extremely therapeutic outlet. Whether one pursues it as a career or not, one should definitely try to paint or sculpt and it will surely be a great stress buster.

Art is a long term Investment

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

In general, one should consider investing in art only after investing in traditional asset classes such as stocks, equity, real estate and gold. However, given the current scenario of the stock market, there are many prospective buyers with sufficient liquidity, who are looking at alternate options. Indian art has emerged as one of the safest investment instruments in recent times. However, investing in art is quite different from investing in other markets. While, it can be said that all investments require a fair amount of research, art in particular, requires greater research (as data is hard to come by) and an in-depth understanding of the art market dynamics. Another factor one must keep in mind is that art should be looked at as a fairly long-term investment, and to be aware that it is less liquid than conventional assets.

How can one spot a winner?

That is the million-dollar question most people ask when considering investing in art. There are many financial consultants who offer advice on equity and debt based funds, however, consultants specifically offering advice on art and its investment potential are very few. In such a case the onus of making the right decision falls on the investor. One can begin by studying the market, its trends and price graphs of well-known artists. It helps to define a budget that can be then sub-divided into parts according to the investment category – high risk, medium and safe.
Knowledge of art is an important consideration and it helps to read up on artists, their profiles, and in general keep abreast of updates on art related news and auctions. Once the generics are in place, one can look at details.

As a buyer a few questions that you need to ask yourself are,
What kind of work to buy – for instance, a painting, sculpture or a photograph?
Which artist/s to consider?
Where to buy from - a gallery, at an auction or a private dealer?
Will I be able to resell it? What are my options?
What are the various commissions and taxes that I need to know about?

Having the answers in place, it will be easier to begin shopping for art and in creating an investment portfolio.

(Published in Financial Times)

Art Buzz (Bangalore) Mini & Mandira Naidoo

Art Buzz (Mumbai) Chintan Upadhyay

Art Buzz (New Delhi) Photographic Works

The changing art scene

(Nalini S Malaviya)

Last week at the preview of one of the art shows, I was fortunate enough to meet Professor MGK Menon, a renowned Indian scientist. Prof Menon was part of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai as a Director and currently he is an Advisor, Indian Space Research Organization. He was in the city on a holiday and one of the things that we talked about was the exorbitant price of artworks today. He incidentally helped build the art collection at TIFR during his tenure. Having bought KH Ara, Tyeb Mehta, MF Husain at prices that we cannot even dream of now, he felt how dramatically the art scene has changed over the years. It is so true when art lovers say that now people buy for investment and not because they have a passion for art!

It was interesting to see how most people comment on how the art scene in Bangalore has altered so much over the years. Well, the fact is that once the world sat up and took note of Indian art, the dynamics of the market changed forever. New Delhi is choc-a-block with galleries and artists, Mumbai, of course is the nerve centre, Kolkata is somewhat lagging behind, but Bangalore is one city that has seen some furious growth.

The art scene here is much more vibrant now than say five years ago, lots of shows are happening, many foreign artists are also exhibiting here, but on the flip side many local artists who are incredibly talented and are doing very well outside the city, do not show their works here. Which is such a pity!
And, sometimes one feels that at some level there is stagnation as well. When visiting exhibitions one hopes to see new and exciting works but one comes across familiar pieces. Well, if you look at the statistics, serious collectors and investors are opting to buy works by Indian artists whose works are more contemporary.

However, it is difficult for established artists to move to a different genre or medium - there is not only the comfort factor but often a genuine demand for those works. But, one wonders how long will this demand last? Shouldn’t the artists look at reinventing themselves? Galleries and curators should also take it upon themselves to encourage artists to experiment. Younger artists who have the talent and skill should be promoted. When that happens the art scene in Bangalore will truly be more alive and vibrant.

Visual appeal may not make good investment

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

An ‘investment artist’ is a popular phrase coined by art dealers and galleries to attract prospective clients to invest in art. What new buyers and investors need to understand is that not all art will turn out to be a financial investment. Decorative art rarely qualifies as a sound investment, at least monetarily. However, this class of art – paintings and sculptures attracts maximum buyers thanks to its visual appeal.

Another category of art that is becoming popular with both corporate houses and individuals is ‘customised art’. Paintings are coordinated extensively with interiors – furnishings, wall colours, accent pieces, patterns etc. In house artists are briefed on the kind of art that needs to be produced and these are affordably priced anywhere between Rs 5,000 to a lakh, or so. Generally, there are no artist signatures on the canvas as these are promoted under the seller’s brand. Obviously, art of this form is not a financial investment and most sellers, in fact make no pretensions about it. Buyers too are fully aware that they are paying for customised wall art that matches perfectly with their décor scheme.

However, when decorative art is projected as an investment option most people end up buying it in the hope that prices will appreciate over time. In general, prices of artworks do go up with time (not to forget inflation!) and most artists are bound to raise their sale tags periodically. But, the difference between a painting that one buys for investment and another for décor lies in the percentage of appreciation in the same amount of time. An artist, who is performing well internationally, will see a bigger hike in his price than one who sells locally through neighbouring galleries. The latter generally paints a similar kind of work due to popular demand, and exhibits a tremendously limited repertoire. Having said that, there is no harm in buying art that appeals to ones senses, as long as one is clear about its investment potential – financial or visual.

(Published in Financial Times)

Art Buzz (London) Bose Krishnamachari: GHOST

Ghost/Transmemoir, 2008, used tiffins with LCD monitors, amplifiers, DVD players, headphones, cables, jute rope, scaffoldings and wood

Bose Krishnamachari: GHOST

artist will be in attendence
Opening Reception 10 July 2008
private view

Wednesday 9 July 6.30 - 9.00 pm

Bangalore : Art shows galore

(Nalini S Malaviya)
The art scene in the city has picked up considerably over the last couple of weeks. The last few days went by in a whirl of activity for many of us, visiting a variety of exhibitions – photographs, paintings, installations and mixed media.
Two exhibitions that have ended but are worth mentioning are - the wild life photography show by M N Jayakumar that has been extensively covered and written about, and it was truly quite spectacular. There were some wonderful snapshots from the wild. Then ‘Silent Symphony’ featured pen and ink drawings by artist Babu Jattakar who incidentally is a faculty at the Applied Art Department, Chitrakala Parishath. The black and white landscapes were presented in a conventional style. They were excellent - pleasant compositions and affordably priced.


Another show, ‘Artists without Boundaries’, features a group of women artists from across the country. With names like Arpana Caur, Rekha Rao, Asma Menon, Gogi Saroj Pal, and Naina Kanodia among others, it seemed promising. But the collection could have involved a larger body of works, which would have offered greater insights into each artist’s oeuvre.
Rekha’s painting was a little different from her earlier series as it added a figurative element – a film poster - to her abstracted backdrop. Portraying the social issue of untouchability, Rekha has drawn from the legendary film actress Nutan’s defining film ‘Sujata’, also based on the same theme. Naina Kanodia’s works are delightful, with their photograph-like visuals. The figures always appear to be suspended in time, surrounded by their abundant worldly belongings. Arpana Caur presented Guru Nanak in her signature style, while Gogi Saroj Pal’s works have been painted with greater abandon than usual.
The exhibition is on at Renaissance Gallery for another week.
Meanwhile, Kaleidoscope 2008 kicks off today, featuring assorted works by various artists. It is on at Kynkyny art gallery till July 19.

And, finally I want to say I am delighted and touched that last week’s column has enthused at least a few photographers who are now keen on exhibiting their fine art photographs. I look forward to that.

(Published in Bangalore Mirror)