New Delhi, Nov 17 (IANSlife) Having gone virtual for many of their exhibitions and art-based interactions, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in the national capital has now reopened for visitors, who seem only too happy to be reconnecting with Indian master artists after months of the gallery being closed.

Notably, all museums, art galleries and exhibitions under the Ministry of Culture were closed to the public on March 17, ahead of the COVID-induced lockdown. They reopened on November 10 according to standard operating procedures and guidelines issued by the Ministry.

As per IANS life’s conversation with Adwaita Gadanayak, the director-general of NGMA, virtual is a medium that helped NGMA cast the net far and wide. Art Adda, their art-based interactive monthly meeting platform for art lovers and artists, went virtual with the lockdown.

“Even in the lockdown, we we experimenting with going digital. Art adds colour to life, and is extremely important to stay connected to. In our virtual ‘art addas’, we saw that we can connect to national and international artists also, not just those in Delhi. It is easier to connect virtually,” Gadanayak said over phone.

The gallery, located at a stone’s throw from Delhi’s tourist hotspot India Gate, has a vast permanent collection of Indian modern and contemporary art, saw close to 300-400 visitors every day, before COVID-19, said the official. On the first day after the reopening, the figure plummeted to 150, and even more on the second day, he informed, adding that it is mostly the young generation coming out and the real numbers will be known after the festivities.

How quick will be the recovery? “We are exercising all precautions and ensuring safety. Hopefully, we should be back to normal numbers soon. It seems like people are afraid of stepping out now,” said Gadanayak.

A successful artist himself, and the mind behind the National Police Memorial in the national capital, Gadanayak, says that it is frustrating and stressful for artists to not venture out into the real world for inspiration and fresh ideas.

“Due to the COVID-induced lockdown, artists could only stay in their studios. Artists interacting with the society keeps it lively and motivating. As NGMA, we try to connect to all Delhi-based and far-off artists to hear about their art and plans,” he shared.

NGMA in Mumbai and Bengaluru have also opened up, and are yet to see a decent number of visitors, said the NGMA DG. Last year, the massive retrospective exhibition held on artist Upendra Maharathi has traveled from Delhi to Bengaluru.

Gadanayak also spoke about some structural changes NGMA could start working on, soon. “People try to connect with the art, they try to come close to it and click selfies. We want that art must be given the respect it deserves. Abroad, masterpieces like da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ are highlighted like a diamond. There are many layers of security and a different style of display.

“Here, we have such great artists like Raja Ravi Verma, Nandalal Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, M.F. Husain, Amrita Sher-gill and more. We want to display them properly. When we give them respect, the public will also respect them like that,” he signed off.

Source:https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=772295

The post Frustrating for artists to not interact with society: NGMA’s Adwaita Gadanayak first appeared on Indian Art News.

We all have heard about the magnificent paintings of M F Husain, Raja Ravi Varma and other Indian artists. These artworks have been appreciated across the globe and a recent study concluded that 55 Indian artists have established new price records over the past 20 months. The study provides data that Raja Ravi Verma’s oil canvas ‘Radha in the Moonlight’ was sold at a whopping price of Rs 23 crore in Mumbai at Pundole’s art auction. Similarly Tyeb Mehta’s artwork ‘Women on rickshaw’ was sold at Rs 22.9 crore at Christie’s annual South Asian Modern Contemporary Art sale in London, Hindustan Times reports.
The study shows that demonetisation has not affected the sale of Indian arts. This can be said as 34 out of 55 records were created after the implementation of currency ban. The study shows that legendary painter M F Husain is at number second spot in terms of the 50 leading Indian artists based on turnover in auctions globally since 1965. The study also reveals that 5 out of top artists works were sold in the month of January 2017. Out of them one is the most expensive Indian works ever sold.
The study gives data on leading 10 artists amongst the record creators: Here I have chosen the top three record creators. Topping the list in November 2016 was Raja Ravi Verma and auctioneer was Pundole’s. Tyeb Mehta created the record in may 2017 and Auctioneer was Christie’s. Akbar Padamsee created the record in September 2016 and auctioneer was Saffronart.
In terms of a year, the study suggests that 2016 was best as it fetches Rs 609.3 crore from sale of Indian artworks. This was followed by 2017 during which artwork of Rs 505.4 crore was sold.
Artery India is an Indian art market Intelligence and advisory firm that owns and operates the world’s largest financial datacenter and knowledge bank focused on Indian art sales globally.

By: FE Online | New Delhi

The post From M F Husain, Raja Ravi Varma to Tyeb Mehta, Indian artists set new price records; no note ban effect, says study first appeared on Indian Art News.

Though there are some institutions and honors already in the name of Varma, his admirers have long been calling for a reputed organization promoting painting in his name.

The new foundation will be based at the Kilimanoor Palace where Ravi Varma was born on April 29, 1848. He was the eldest child of Makayiram Nal Umamba Thampuratty and Ezhumavil Illathu Neelakandan Bhattathirippad. He studies the nuances of the art from his uncle Raja Raja Varma.
The foundation will be inaugurated by the head of the erstwhile Baroda royal family Samarjitsinhrao Gaekwad on Monday, the 111th death anniversary of Ravi Varma. Cultural Affairs Minister AK Balan will inaugurate the commemoration function.

Foundation Trust chairman K Ravi Varma revealed a story behind the choice of Gaekwad for the inauguration. “Raja Ravi Varma had planned a grand celebration on his 60th birthday. The then Baroda King was invited to inaugurate a new art gallery on the palace premises. Unfortunately, the maestro passed away before the birthday,” he said.

Besides painting, the foundation will promote various Indian arts, K Ravi Varma said. “We have planned a development programme in phases. In the first four years, the foundation will establish facilities which will make it a national center of excellence. Later, efforts will be taken to elevate it to an international centre with more facilities,” he said. The first phase will see the setting up of a painting school, avant-garde art gallery, library and a research centre. Satellite units have also been planned in different parts of the country.

The art gallery, says K Ravi Varma, will showcase state-of-the-art replicas of the master’s works. The palace does not have any original work of Varma, except for an unfinished one titled “Parsi Lady”. It will be restored and exhibited in the gallery. In the second phase, if proper security measures are ensured, the foundation will request palace members to hand over original works of the maestro. Workshops and specialized coaching in fine arts will be conducted by the foundation. Tie-ups are planned with the fine arts institutions in the country and abroad.

Trust chairman said the immediate priority is to restore Ravi Varma’s studio on the palace. A new one will be set up in place of the dilapidated office building of the palace. This will serve as the headquarters of the foundation.The Trust expects support from the government, corporate bodies, and NGOs for the foundation’s infrastructure needs. The inaugural function on Monday will have an exhibition of paintings by the descendants of Ravi Varma.

Source – By Express News Service  |   Published: 01st October 2017 11:04 PM  |

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