Now,slowdown hits MSU fine arts students

Akkitham Vasudevan,the head of the Painting department,said: “In the past five years,we have seen a great demand for budding artists graduating from FFA. Delhi-based Anant Art Gallery,Mumbai-based Bodhi Art gallery and Abhay Maskara Art Gallery used to select FFA students on the basis of their annual display.”

He added: “National-level galleries often competed with one another to pick up the best talent and the best product. But this was lacking this time.”

Vasudevan said: “Earlier,there was so much enthusiasm that the internationally known Bodhi Art Gallery had even formed a committee,a jury of their own,and as many as three displays were selected during the FFA annual event. Later,the students were awarded by the same gallery. But this year,people from the gallery have not turned up at the FFA campus.”

Indrapramit Roy,a faculty from the Painting department said,“This year,after the annual display,some people from some art galleries like Ruksaan Art Gallery unofficially met students,but nothing has been finalised yet.”

Deepak Kannal,FFA Dean,said,“Normally,the faculty doesn’t mediate between students and the art galleries. The dialogue is always between the art galleries and the students,and they are free to select any display of the students depending on their interests. The faculty has no role in it.”

Kannal added: “A statistical comparison is not available with us,but national and international level art galleries are not taking risks this year. Seven to eight students were selected,but there is no confirmation about it from any art gallery.”

Nityananda Ojha,a student from the Sculpture department,said: “There are not many offers but I have taken up the initiative to set up a studio at the GIDC in Vadodara.”

Before the annual display,Ojha’s work was selected by Abhay Maskara Art Gallery.