All for art’s sake
S Kumaresan
The numbers may not be staggering but the slow trickle of private museums in the country is a positive step towards creating awareness about art. The Devi Art Foundation was established to facilitate the viewership of creative expression that exists in the country.
Anupam and Lekha Poddar’s comprehensive compilations of contemporary art in the country was thrown open to public discourse. The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) follows a similar ideology, while down south Rajshree Pathy had created Coimbatore Centre for Contemporary Arts (CoCCA), which brought together a space to view art as well as offer budding artists an educational experience.
Sharan Apparao of the Apparao Galleries reveals that most collectors are more than happy to come forth and showcase their collection. The four part series titled ‘Temporary Custodians’ will feature works from the treasure trove of old collectors from April 7 onwards at the Apparao Galleries, Chennai. Sharan points out that each collection is not just about mere acquisition but about the story behind how someone came across a particular work of art. “This exhibition is a good way to increase the visibility of the collectors and also allows people to see the context in which these they live with their art,” she reveals.
Art administrator Amit Jain, who has worked with two of the country’s biggest private art collections, reveals that art has to go beyond just the price tag. “I think private museums should come forward and create outreach programs. There should be more literature, preferably in a simpler language. And, there should be programs designed to penetrate into schools and colleges, so that cultural habits can be inculcated at a younger age,” advocates Amit, who also runs Navsar.
Amit remarks that these private museums can sometimes set a precedent. “Showcasing a collection in a public domain can be an inspiration to many young collectors and audiences,” he adds.
However, contemporary artist Akshay Raj Singh Rathore points out that these spaces tend to be market oriented. “If you are an independent artist, the odds are against you,” he says. He will be showcasing his work at the Vadehra Art Gallery, Delhi from April 5.
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