Art for arts’ sake - The Big Picture

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

The Big Picture is a concerted effort that brings together 57 artists for a fund raising event in Bangalore. Organized by the India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) the art exhibition presents a wide range of paintings, mixed media works and photographs by young and upcoming, and a few senior artists as well.
According to Arundhati Ghosh, the Deputy Director of IFA, “the idea of organizing an art show as a fund raiser germinated last year and then Abhishek Poddar offered to curate it.” This happens to be the Foundation’s first art exhibition. In fact, in a tremendous show of solidarity, the artists have come forward to donate, in full or in part, the sale proceeds of their works for IFA. Incidentally, IFA is an organization that provides grants for art and culture activities and has been supporting independent research and teaching institutions, cultural and development organizations, musicians, visual artists and filmmakers amongst a host of other professionals in related fields.


For this particular event, well known artists such as Gulammohammed Sheikh, N S Harsha, Jayashree Chakravarty and Mithu Sen, and photographers such as Raghu Rai, Shahid Datawala, and Navroze Contractor are just a few names that comprise the vast list. All the works have been priced under Rs 5 lakhs. The online catalogue offers a promising line-up of works with a significant section devoted to prints.
While, many of the artists may not be a familiar sight on the Bangalore art scene, they have been exhibiting elsewhere. “These are outstanding works by some of our most talented artists and very well priced too keeping in mind the economic situation,” writes Abhishek Poddar in his curatorial note.
The exhibition although happening in Bangalore is also being showcased online and as Arundhati describes it, “It is a national show with a local physical presence.” Here’s hoping that art connoisseurs come forward to support art for arts’ sake.

(The Big Picture will be held between April 5 - 8, 2009, at WelcomArt Gallery, ITC Windsor and from April 10 - 15, 2009, (Sunday closed) at Gallery Sumukha, 24/10, BTS Depot Road, Wilson Garden, Bangalore).
(Published in Bangalore Mirror)

Good time for quality works to emerge

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

With summer approaching there is a slow down of sorts in art activities. As has been the trend in the last couple of years there are fewer art exhibitions that are organized during this period. Apart from that the economic recession too has hit the art market in a big way. Some galleries have even closed shop completely, or partially. There have been instances where certain branches in some cities have closed down, or where some galleries are now opening only by prior appointment. Footfalls have reduced drastically in galleries, and gallery sources reveal that walk-ins are a rare sight these days.

What can a buyer or artist do during this phase?
This is a disconcerting time for people who are interested in art – there are fewer art shows to attend and thereby reduced interaction with other art connoisseurs. On the bright side, this happens to be a good time for those who buy art - either for its investment value or simply because they are passionate about it. Prices are low now and that is an added incentive for many buyers. And, there are works by many young artists on sale, practically everywhere. Due to the relaxed pace of affairs, most artists are also producing better quality works. This is also a good time to learn more about art. One can attend lectures or workshops wherever possible and visit museums. Reading about art always helps.

In the recent past, there has been considerable interest in young and upcoming artists who are talented. However, it is important for such artists to produce a substantial body of work and plan for a long term career. There are a sufficient number of people who are looking at commissioning artists with specific requirements and artists could keep an eye open for opportunities as well. As an artist one should also experiment more during this phase.

The good thing about this phase is that some exceptional works will get created in the process. As quality will take precedence over quantity, it will benefit the art market as a whole.

(Published in Financial Times)

Art Buzz (Kolkata) Art against Terrorism

Elephant on the wall

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

As one turns towards Opus from the BDA circle, an elephant dressed in pink and blue sneakers grins cheekily, striking an incongruent note amidst the traffic snarl. This rendition on the wall is the work of graffiti artist Ivan Germon. Ivan, from France has been spray painting on public walls for the last sixteen years. As a teenager, with a spray can in hand, he began leaving his signature on walls at night. At one point after his arrest and subsequent trial, the situation altered considerably and he was invited to paint on designated walls in France. Ivan also does paintings – acrylic on canvas and illustrations when he is not doing graffiti.

Image coutesy Opus

Ivan has modified his modus operandi and now, very often, he paints on large rolls of paper and then sticks them on the wall. Most of his paintings are of cartoon or popular characters, keeping in mind the cultural milieu of the place. For instance, he has spray painted Chacha Choudhary and Shaktiman in India. For the wall on Opus, for which he was incidentally invited to paint upon, he chose a brightly dressed up elephant which was bound to attract a lot of attention, and the slogan he has used is derived from Horn OK Please, seen so commonly on the back of trucks. He feels that these are elements that the common man can identify with and relate to easily. He signs off as Rock, and has taken the trouble to sign in Kannada as well.

According to Ivan, nobody would notice an ugly wall on the street, but, a brightly coloured one will definitely catch the eye. In big cities, where ones existence can go unnoticed, a signature or some writing on the wall is a way to get attention, and that is what most graffiti artists are doing when they paint on a wall in the darkness of the night.

Incidentally, what is graffiti? Letters or images that have been marked, scratched or painted upon any property are termed as graffiti. In most countries defacing public walls is considered vandalism of property and is an illegal activity. However, in the recent past, graffiti as an art form has emerged slowly, although it continues to be a topic of debate.

Art prices more realistic now?

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

In the recent past prices of paintings and sculptures have fallen considerably, and are much more realistic now. Buyers who have never bought a single work of art ever before are now looking at art from a fresh perspective. Although, art dealers and galleries are pushing art less aggressively at the moment, there are still a sufficient number of buyers who continue to invest in art. This number is drastically less compared to the scene a few years ago, but nevertheless it exists. It has been noticed that paintings that were priced over a crore a few months ago have now fallen significantly.

It also appears that most artists have reconciled to this new phase of the economic downturn, and have adjusted their prices accordingly. Galleries and dealers are also open to negotiations and are encouraging artists to price their works reasonably. However, there is a small percentage of artists who continues to be in denial about their market rates, or it could be that they have the luxury to ignore the market trend. Some of them are opting to not sell their works at all and appear to be waiting for the market to look up again.

It is also seen that a large number of works are being put up for resale. Contemporary artists, whose prices escalated exponentially in the last few years, have reached a much more stable phase, now. But, there are limited buyers who are willing to spend that amount of money on this category of artists. In fact the trend has completely shifted to young and upcoming artists, and to art that can be classified as ‘affordable’. This is a good phase for an informed buyer. The frenzied pace to pick up art, which was seen earlier, has now been replaced by a more judicious approach. Buyers are attracted towards price and quality, and not necessarily in that order.