Beyond the Reopening: Reviving Venkatappa Art Gallery

Venkatappa Art Gallery view, Art Scene India

After months of anticipation and extensive renovation efforts by The Brigade Foundation, the Venkatappa Art Gallery reopened its doors. More than 200 artists and enthusiasts gathered for the ‘Gallery Pravesha’ on the morning of 13th Jun, a day after the official inauguration, which was boycotted by the artist fraternity.

Rumale Chennabasaviah Exhibition

The renovated Venkatappa Art Gallery now has three exhibition spaces for artists, but only one was utilized for the inaugural display: a condensed yet well-presented exhibition on Rumale Chennabasaviah made possible by Sanjay Kabe. The absence of exhibitions in the other two galleries on the ground floor was in my opinion a missed opportunity—an inaugural showcase across all spaces would have added much to the event. 

KK Hebbar Gallery

The second floor houses the K.K. Hebbar exhibition, unfortunately, non-functional lighting left a small section in partial darkness, and his publications were not on display, at least one could not spot them. A thoughtful reassessment of the design and display of this space would help in bringing a more coherent and engaged display and do justice to Hebbar’s legacy.

K. Venkatappa’s main gallery on the first floor, however, is well curated and presents his paintings, veenas, awards, and personal memorabilia all displayed in a manner that honours his multifaceted practice and interests. Yet here, too, flickering lights interrupted the experience—a recurring technical issue that needs resolution.

Having said that, all of these concerns are minor in comparison to what has been achieved during the restoration – from addressing leaky ceilings and walls, mold, and cracks, to structural repairs, well designed lighting and accessibility features with ramps and elevators, have made a huge difference. In addition, there is a 100-seat auditorium, a sculpture park, a cafe, and outdoor spaces which have been redesigned.

The overwhelming turnout from artists demonstrated the community’s commitment to supporting institutional spaces. Navigating the exhibits amid the crowds made it difficult to engage with the artworks in depth—and one would have to visit again to view the exhibitions in detail.

The Future

Looking ahead, several crucial aspects must be addressed. Clarity on how artists can book the gallery spaces, the fee structure, and programming guidelines must be communicated in a transparent manner. Furthermore, a dedicated team—comprising curators and art experts—should be established to steer the activities, ensuring thoughtful exhibitions, critical dialogue, and sustained engagement with the space.

Venkatappa Art Gallery with its unique location and its rich history has the potential to be a vibrant cultural hub, once again. With careful planning, artist-centered programming, and infrastructural refinements, it can evolve into an institution that not only preserves artistic legacies but also fosters contemporary conversations. The reopening was a significant milestone—now it’s time to ensure the momentum leads to meaningful change.


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