Art is not a commodity, says the circle

The Goods and Services Tax (GST), which aims to create a uniform taxation structure across India, is painting a sad picture for the art market in the country. After implementation, it will bring artworks in the slab of 12% tax slab, making them rather more expensive. So far, barring a few states, art was exempted from tax.

This has naturally upset the art community, which fears that the already struggling art industry will suffer more, and that budding artists will now find even fewer buyers.

Art curator Erum Khan says, “Art is not a requirement, but a choice. If a show is held, only 2-5% of the works are sold. There are no schemes, no governmentdriven initiatives, and no incentives for artists. On top of that, GST will lead to higher prices. What artists need is motivation and not a push back.”

Curator Ina puri believes that due to demonetisation, the whole industry is already facing a crisis and taxes will affect it severely. Puri says, “Sixty auction houses have already stopped working across India after

Even if GST adds `10,000 to the price of an artwork, an art lover won’t shy away from buying it. The market for art is niche GOPI GAJWANI, ARTIST

demonetisation. GST will make it more difficult for us. Look at China. It gave a tax holiday of 10 years to artists.”

On the contrary, curator Sushma Bhel supports the decision, saying, “The art industry’s documentation is not proper and GST will bring in a system, simplify it.”

And painter Gopi Gajwani believes that for real art collectors, the additional cost of the tax won’t be a hurdle.

PHOTOS: SAUMYA KHANDELWAL/ HT