The Right Canvas
Instead of ruing the lack of government institutions to support art and artists, we need to create a marketplace for art in India
Art is a commentary on the times we live in. But there is an entire generation that is growing up with no interest in art. The Indian landscape lacks a cultural infrastructure. There are very few public art spaces, museums are not exciting, and there is little public conversation around art. So naturally art intimidates people.
I used to think art was a lot of hocus pocus till 14 years ago when I went for a show at Trident Hotel, Gurugram, which I headed at that point. I just fell in love with art. I remember buying a Jogen Chowdhury at that exhibition and in the next six months read everything I could find on contemporary and emerging artists. I started a blog called indianartreview, which led to Aveek Sarkar inviting me to write a column in his newspaper, The Telegraph, on collecting contemporary art, and suddenly I found myself accepting invitations to speak on Indian art. This also made me realise that instead of lamenting the lack of government institutions to support art and artists, we needed to create a marketplace for art in India.
That’s when I entered a partnership with Glenfiddich and started bestcollegeart.com which gave them access to buyers and also created an annual award for emerging artists. Four years ago, I also started Art District 13 for more established contemporary artists. The galleries are cheek by jowl with each other in Delhi’s art district, Lado Sarai, and my interest in art is now a lifetime passion. I enjoy oil on canvas—the technique really speaks to me—and I love the interface between painting and sculpture. I enjoy the works by the new wave of Indian artists who are engaged with global problems and political issues and yet have not lost the authenticity of language. I have always had an opinion so it’s natural I would like my art to reflect that.