13 Mar 2007

Organizing an Art Exhibition

How to Organize an Art Exhibition -Tips on organizing a successful art exhibition

Recently, there has been a spurt in the number of art exhibitions in Bangalore. At some of these shows it was disheartening to see that there were hardly any visitors, almost no media coverage and consequently no sales. For all upcoming artists who are not sponsored by art galleries, organizing an exhibition of their artworks is a challenge in itself. Unfortunately, talent by itself is not sufficient, marketing and packaging have become very important ingredients in defining one’s success in almost every field.

Marketing is not a part of fine arts curriculum in India and although most artists acquire this ability over time, it helps to start right. A combination of creativity, good communication skills, marketing ability and media savvy-ness makes for a successful recipe. And, as most artists will agree, planning for an art show – preview, mailing lists, media coverage, details of the event all require extensive planning to ensure the success of an art show. Here, I have listed out a few points, which may help the new and upcoming artists.

Have ties
It helps to have some kind of a tie-up with an established and reputed art gallery. However, it is not always an easy task and if you are organizing an art exhibition completely on your own, it is important to start planning well before the event. Most art galleries are booked six months to a few years in advance, therefore depending on the timeframe, one can utilize the time to work out the nitty-gritty of the show.

Preview
It helps to organize a preview or an inauguration of the exhibition. These days, many hotels like to be associated with art related events and they could also be approached to provide the venue. Some hotels will do so in exchange of a painting. One can also look for a sponsor who can take care of the cocktails/appetizers for the evening. Do a cost estimate to have an idea about the expenses involved.

Invite and Catalogue
Design a nice invitation card with one or more of your paintings and ensure all relevant details are covered in it. If possible plan to have a catalogue, however this is more often done with sponsored shows.

Mailing list
Many art galleries in return for the rent of their premises will lend their mailing list. Sometimes mailing lists are also available on payment. It helps to have a local contact who can guide you in the right direction.
Plan in such a way that the invite reaches everyone about a week before the event.
If you plan on having a chief guest/guest of honor you will have to work simultaneously on confirming their availability.

‘Press kit’
Remember media plays an important role in providing press coverage and thereby determining the numbers that will visit the show. Put together a ‘press kit’ on a CD – photographs of artworks, artist profile & photograph, write-up on the exhibition such as what is the theme of the show, why was it chosen, what inspires you, how is it different from your earlier works, copy of a catalogue, if any, and an e-invite.
The press kit must be distributed to all local newspapers, magazines and television channel networks. This should be done at least 1 to 3 weeks in advance. If you would like to be covered in various section/supplements of a newspaper, remember, sending a single copy of the press kit is not enough. Take the trouble to find out who heads each section/supplement and mark different sets of the press kit to each of them.
Often freelance writers/art critics cover art related events, if you know their contact details, send them the press kit as well and follow up with a phone call. Alternately, leave a copy of the kit with the respective newspaper office and request them to forward it to the freelancer.

Follow up with a phone call to all the important people who you have invited for the event. Confirm again with your special guests. Please do not hound your guests and reporters with repeated phone calls this can put them off. Some galleries send out smses a day or two before the event to remind guests, one can follow this procedure as well.

If all this is too complicated and you have the cash to spare, hire a PR firm to take care of the publicity. Arty parties are very popular with the press for the Page 3 events section; so don’t forget to invite the press for the preview. Inviting the who’s who of the city will also make sure that the media takes an added interest in the event.

Send in your comments and suggestions (e-mail) on what more can be done to organize a good and successful art show.

11 Mar 2007

Art Review - Abir Patwardhan

(By Nalini S Malaviya )

Abir Patwardhan’s first solo show in the city, presents his recent works that are inspired by nature. In this series titled ‘Prayer for the Porcupine’ Abir lays out a delightful array of fruit and seeds where forms rule and the fluidity of copper charms.
sculpture by Abir PatwardhanThe sculptures draw inspiration from nature but refrain from being literal translations. Analogical at times, they are impressions, and sometimes imaginative renderings from fantasy. ‘Strange Fruit’ split in two has a frightening effect covered with wriggling worms, while ‘The outermost reaches of my mind’ has these long tentacles reaching out in exploration. The sculptures are beautiful, and have been crafted to perfection. With engineering precision and miniature detailing, the artist avoids being repetitive and offers a substantial variety. His sculptures have a sense of the unusual and even a touch of humor at times. Having worked in the past with paper, iron and ceramic amongst other mediums, the present series makes use of beaten copper. Abir first sketches out his concept, which then develops further in his drawings, and by the time he starts work with the metal it evolves in form and shape.

An avid traveler Abir admits he is fascinated by native arts and crafts. He believes such exposure adds perspective to one’s art and also helps in relating real situations to myths and legends. The artist has a master’s degree in fine arts (sculpture) from MS University Baroda, and lives and works in Pune. Prices begin at Rs 30,000.

The exhibition is on till March 14 at Gallery Sumukha, Bangalore –560 027.

(Published in Financial Times, Bangalore)

7 Mar 2007

Bikash Poddar and 'Kaleidoscope'

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

Bikash Poddar brings his recent watercolors that are pleasant and create an ethereal ambience. Romanticized landscapes in soft and appealing colors reflect the beauty of rural West Bengal. Swirls of colors blend seamlessly to heighten the effect of a dreamy sequence. There are a few figurative works also that are again done using the wash technique, and are characterized by minimal lines with an emphasis on aesthetics. Bikash Poddar, has worked as a commercial artist for many years, but then went back to painting a few years ago. He lives and works in Delhi.

The exhibition is on till March 8, between 10:00 am - 7:00 pm daily at Right Lines art Gallery, No. 270, 1st Main, Defence Colony, Indiranagar, Bangalore –38

This group show with twenty artists has some interesting works lined up. A majority of the artists are regulars at exhibitions in the city, and have their regular fare on offer. Beena Pradhan’s figurative work of a woman is eloquent, while MG Doddamani’s image is surreal and even a little chilling. Kinkar Ghosh’s woks on paper, especially ‘Savage’ are arresting. Nitin Nangare continues his series on Lambadi women and Sujata Achrekar with her ‘Brahmin’ series. Shashidhar Lohar’s ‘Tsunami’- a pen and ink drawing is full of details and attracts with its energy and restrained motion. M Senathipathi works are ornate and full of intricate detailing used as ornamentation. Somenath Maity’s has two paintings and both are equally striking, where towering structures (from his series ‘Structures’) in vivid colors make an impact. Sudipta Tewary has contributed a charcoal portrait that appears stylized.
work by Sudipta Tewary
The exhibition is on till March 15, 10:00 am to 7.00 pm at KYNKYNY, 33/200, N.S. Iyengar Street, Off Railway Parallel Road, Nehrunagar, Kumara Park, Bangalore 560 020.

(Published in Financial Tomes, Bangalore)

5 Mar 2007

Art Review - Suman and Suhas Roy

(By Nalini S Malaviya)
Suhas and Suman Roy, the father and son duo present their recent collection of works – a colorful medley that is a visual treat. As they make a brief stopover in the city, we discuss their art and more.

Suman’s Christ is a figure of compassion, suffering and dignity – done on canvas and acrylic sheets the results are stunning. What is surprising is that Suman’s tryst with painting has been an intermittent affair, despite which his grip on different mediums is remarkable. Suman Roy returned to painting after a gap of several years. In the interim period cars, computers and books occupied his mind. Meanwhile, he saw the film ‘The Passion of the Christ’ which affected him so much that he interrupted his sojourn with a series of Christ figures. The violence and the bloodshed in the film moved him to translate them on canvas. The paintings on acrylic sheets (a difficult medium to work with) are particularly striking.
Image courtesy Suman RoyComparisons between father and son are inevitable, but Suman is quick to point out that he has consciously avoided being influenced by Suhas Roy – the teacher. Suman’s early works were landscape paintings inspired by the serene surroundings at Shanthiniketan, followed by works on tribals. Then came a series on masks, a result of his extensive travels, and then finally the present works on Christ – a much in demand series. With barely contained excitement Suman announces that one of his paintings – a small one, as a matter of fact, has fetched 15 lakhs at a recently held auction, outdoing some of the senior artists. Suman Roy believes he has finally established his own identity.

On the other hand, Suhas Roy has been doing his ‘Radha’ series since 1979, which has been hugely popular. He is known for creating exquisite faces of women – romanticized portraits that are beautiful, sensuous and elegant. Conventional faces and forms acquire a rare quality in Suhas Roy’s hands, an air of fantasy or a dream-like quality permeates his works. In the present exhibition apart from the female faces in different mediums, there is a single painting of a man, a nawab holding a rose, which is rare from an artist known for his preoccupation with female subjects.
Image courtesy Suhas RoySuhas Roy’s skill with various mediums such as crayons, charcoal, and oil paints is equally legendary. He says beauty inspires him, whether it is a flower, a woman or a mountain… The other series he is working on now is The Midnight Rain, which comprises of large oils on canvas. The senior Roy believes in creating works that will last and be appreciated for generations. The art scene has changed a lot from his younger days, and he advises, “Art is changing, it is a digital era, but we should not forget our Indian roots. The soil determines how a person thinks or philosophizes and we should remember that.”

On the boom in the Indian art market, he remarks, “With so much hype surrounding the Indian art scene, the younger artists are not struggling anymore, times have changed and so have attitudes, but quality should be maintained.” This sounds like good advice, which should help in sustaining the buoyancy in the art market in the long run.

The exhibition is on till March 7 at The Hatworks Boulevard, Bangalore.

(Published in TOI, Bangalore)

3 Mar 2007

Art Review - Ramesh Terdal

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

From portraits to semi-abstracts and sculptures, and now back to portraits in this particular exhibition, Ramesh Terdal has followed his instincts rather than trends. A gold medallist in graduation (BFA) he did his masters in painting from Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. Despite pursuing painting for more than ten years, the Bangalore based artist is rather underrated despite his talent and skill. Ramesh’s works are quiet and introspective - the portraits of children are highly expressive and full of innocence. Rich textures and a rustic appeal characterize his works. Vivid browns and rusts set the backdrop to create an earthy feel since, most of his paintings are inspired by rural scenarios.
Painting by Ramesh Terdal
There are subtle variations in this present set of twenty-five paintings compared to his earlier figurative works – for instance some of the works are in much darker hues, and the eyes and the faces lack definition. Outlines and details are less and have been replaced by patches of dark colors; also there is an enhanced air of mystery and intensity to the portraits. Through it all the children’s faces reflect their various emotions of happiness, sorrow, playfulness and shyness. The play of light and shadow creates interesting effects. One of the works that belongs to the series “Celebration’ is a part of the collection that will be exhibited in London shortly. Despite a dark and intense palette the work is much more contemporary than the portrait series.

The exhibition is on till March 9 at Lakshana Art Gallery, Bangalore.

(Published in TOI, Bangalore)