artHERITAGE

It's an idea whose time has come. Art fairs and expos are held as a matter of routine all over the world. Art Expo India 2008 Mumbai is determined to catch up the global Art Market Trend.Vickram Sethi, gallerist, curator and entrepreneur, takes this first significant step with Art Expo India 2008, which brings together professionals from various branches of the art world: From galleries to framers, buyers to artists at the World Trade Centre March 14-16, it has been organised by the Trade and Technology Exposition Co (India) Pvt Ltd, established in 1987 as an exhibition organising company headed by Mr Vikram Sethi.
He has managed to bring together art galleries from all over the country, Sethi says, even though many are still hesitant. "They want to wait and see how this one goes," he smiles. Those that have signed up include Emami Chisel Art Pvt. Ltd. , Marvel Art Gallery, Karma Art Gallery, Archer , Ashok Art Gallery, Nitanjali Art Gallery, Arushi Arts Gallery, Art India Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd, Art & Soul, The Osmosis Gallery, Institute of Contemporary Indian Art, Klakriti Art Gallery, The Art Trust, Ashish Balram Nagpal.

In time, Sethi explains, there will also be support services showcased at the Expo — insurance, valuation and more. Art supplies and artists' facilities are not being planned, at the moment. Sethi looks to this collection of industry-associated services being a huge success, since the art market in India is growing rapidly.

"It used to be NRIs buying art, but now every young couple wants to own something that they can be proud of," he says. And this is where they can start.Harsh Goenka and actress Dimple Kapadia cutting the red ribbon and inaugurating the show. Making their arty-hearty presence felt at this ‘making a business out of art’ affair were a number of the city’s gallery owners, artists and art dealers, who came to check out the various stalls and works on display. Artexpo India 2008, which ends last week, offered Mumbaiites a chance to mingle with art industry professionals from across India. Young Indian Artists like Chintan Upadhyay, Pratul Dash, Venkat Bothsa, Amitava Dhar, Sajal Patra, Kanta Kishore, Jamal Ahmed, Gadadhar Ojha, Anup Kumar Chand, Binoy Verghese and Sanjeev Sonpimpare were hot favorite amongst all showcased and Ashok Art Gallery’s young artist representation was found most hunting place for all visitors.

 

Dimple was very impressed with the entire concept of buyers, gallerists and collectors all coming together under one roof. “Art Expo India will open the market for a wide range of products and services,” Vickram Sethi was overheard explaining to a guest.Also present at the show opening were Laila Khan-Rajpal, Pravina and Jamal Mecklai, Sarayu Doshi, Richard and Katherine Tan and artists Sajal Patra, Prithivi Soni, Vinod Manwani, Kanta Kishore, Pradosh Swain, Sanjoy Bose, Chintan Upadhyay, Sanjeev Sonpimpare and Jenny Bhatt. Art for art’s sake, indeed!
Ashok Nayak
Curator and Exhibition Director
www.ashokartgallery.com

Sometimes I'm so angry I keep quiet only because I think I'd spew flames and not words.
Some days I look at people I see everyday and I notice the worry lines on their faces so clearly, it is all I can do to stop myself from reaching out to touch them and offer comfort.Other days I wish I could zap them into a black hole.
There are times I feel so unbearably, hungrily, gnawingly empty I wonder why I don't vanish into the vaccuum myself.
And yet again, I feel like I'm overflowing with every emotion and sensation ever known to humankind.

Some nights I go to sleep feeling complete and that all's okay with the world. And then I wake up with the unbearable thought that I'm still alive in this same world.

Everyone has days that sound like this. The only difference is that my days are series of moments like these.I admit to having doubts right upto the last minute. I am not one of those poeple who is scared of needles but the thought of being etched for the good part of an hour is not particularly pleasing. Then I saw the colours....red, yellow, blue, black. And I thought of how they would look against my skin. I thought of art that would live as long as I would. And I took a deep breath and said, "Okay, lets do it"

 Filling in the colours was excruciating. I paint and I can now appreciate, what a marvelous tool the brush is. I imagine if every single spot had to be painted individually, I'd lose my interest for good. The artist didn't waver for a minute though and not one spot of colour landed where it wasn't supposed to.

http://www.squidoo.com/ashokartgallery

 

 

                                              To reach the pinnacle of my profession by setting High Standards of professionalism and have a drive to work in a challenging environment which provides best opportunity for learning and growth.

GREAT ARTISTS @ THE WORLDWIDE ART GALLERY

Eurogallery Award Scheme 2005