Genius,not for Sale

The Maharastra-born Gaitonde studied at the JJ School of Art,Mumbai,and was invited to join the Progressive Artists’ Group. Though never a part of the group formally,the artist,who received a Padma Shri in 1971,supported their modernist ideals. “We will showcase his works in our inaugural exhibition because people have not had a chance to see his works,from his early days to the latter half of his career,” says Vazirani. As a result of the paucity of his works,the value of his paintings have doubled. In 2002 his work sold for Rs 92 lakhs at Osian’s Auction House and now they are valued at over Rs 3.5 crores.

Puri,who has followed Gaitonde’s career with interest,says that it is not just the monetary value attached to the painter’s work that gives it eminence but also the impact it has had on viewers. “I saw a painting by Gaitonde many years ago in Kolkata and it is still vividly imprinted in my mind despite the 25 years that have passed since. He was an artist who de-constructed the poetics of abstraction for us. One sees a genius of that stature once in a millennium,” says Puri.

Given that hotel lobby art is usually picturesque and easy on the pocket,for a serious art enterprise to launch in a hotel is a first of sorts in the city. “We chose the Oberoi for its central location and the fact that it is a busy space visited by people from different walks of life,many of whom do not usually go to art galleries. This presents an untapped avenue for business,” observes Vazirani.