The Delhi Expess : Flying Colours

If you haven’t spotted some of the A-list artists, it is because they are gallivanting in the galleries of London, Singapore and Venice, where art comes alive in summer
Vandana Kalra

That their canvases fetch millions of dollars at Christie’s and Sotheby’s and that Indian art is going places isn’t news anymore, but now the artists are following their works world over. If you haven’t spotted some of the A-list artists in their familiar circles, they are gallivanting in the galleries of London, Singapore and Venice, where art comes alive in summer.

While sweltering May and June are lean months for art in Delhi, it is the right time to tap the market internationally. Says Roshini Vadehra of the Vadehra Art Gallery: “We organise international exhibitions all year round, but summer happens to be the best time. While art activities hit a low in India, it is a good time abroad, especially in London and New York.” Next week Vadehra will accompany veteran artist Ram Kumar to London’s Grosvenor Gallery where he will showcase his latest works on paper and canvas from June 14.

A few weeks ago, the Art Alive Gallery had organised an exhibition of 10 artists at The Gallery on London’s Cork Street. Paresh Maity and Thota Vaikuntam were a few who flew out to make an Indian art summer. “I was in London for two weeks. I clubbed the visit with another charity show organised by Pratham India,” says Maity, who has just returned to the country and will soon to be travelling to Venice for another project.

Riyas Komu is already in the city of gondolas for the Venice Biennale that begins on June 10 and which will display his works. “I will be showing five canvases and they are all inspired by an Iranian film called Circle,” he reveals.

Some artists are looking East. Atul and Anju Dodiya and Jogen Chowdhury are in Singapore — though for different purposes. While Anju is on a residency at Singapore’s Tyler Print Institute, Chowdhury is busy attending an art camp, and Atul is just taking a summer break.

Others like Nupur Kundu have postponed their summer escapades for a while. She will be flying to Australia in August and then to London, where her works will be displayed at the Royal College of Art. “I’ll beat the heat by staying indoors and completing my works. A well-deserved vacation will come only after that,” she says. But not everyone is crossing the borders this summer. Delhi-based artist Sidharth, for instance, prefers the Himalayas. He is planning his annual trip to the Valley of Flowers. “I pick fallen flowers to prepare colours to paint,” he says. Call it holiday hues.