Hindustan Times (Patna) - Hindustan Times (Patna) - Live
Kerala floods: As many as 300 artists to donate works worth ₹1cr to raise funds
Performing artists, in their individual capacity, have already come forth to help those affected by the Kerala floods. Now, an exhibition, Art for Kerala Flood (Sept 21 to 23), will bring some 300 artists together to donate their works at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Delhi, to raise funds for Kerala relief.
“It’s the first time that NGMA is organising such an art show to help those affected by a natural calamity,” says Adwaita Gadanayak, director general, NGMA. The works will be sold to raise money.
Veteran painter Jatin Das was among the many contacted by NGMA. And Das not only agreed to donate, but also volunteered to request friends in the art fraternity to do so. “We are expecting works of 300 artists [from all over India] to come in. It will be a huge show. [All] the money raised will go to Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.”
Gargi Seth, an art curator who is helping the organisers, says, “The artist community has made a strong gesture. It’s now up to the society to come forward to buy. If we manage to sell even one-tenth of the collection, we stand to raise a neat ₹10 lakh. If the entire collection gets sold, the worth will be nearly ₹1 crore!”
On display will be works by Satish Gujral, Arpana Caur, A. Ramchandran, Raghu Rai, Anjolie Ela Menon, Seema Kohli, Rameshwar Broota, Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, Subodh Gupta, Vasundhara Tewari, KS Radhakrishnan, Rini Dhumal, and Asit Patnaik.
To keep the artworks “affordable” for the public, the organisers asked the artists to send in works in smaller formats, such as 30x20 inch. There are sculptures and photographs, too. “Buyers can pay via cheque. We’re trying to make arrangements to accept cash for smaller amounts,” adds Gadanayak.
Artist Vivan Sundaram, who has donated two of his works for the cause, says, “I’m sending a photograph from the series, Terraoptics, which was showcased two years ago at an art festival. And, there’s also a charcoal drawing of Amrita Sher-Gill. I decided to come forth and help because it’s a laudable effort.”