Artists Enabled

For artist Arpana Caur,this is a way of doing her bit for artists who might not otherwise get a platform to showcase their talent.

Written by EXPRESS FEATURES SERVICE
December 10, 2011 03:30 AM IST

2 min read

For artist Arpana Caur,this is a way of doing her bit for artists who might not otherwise get a platform to showcase their talent. For a decade now,every December,a gallery at Caurs institute,Academy of Fine Arts and Literature,is reserved for the annual show comprising artwork by specially-abled artists from across India. Organised by the NGO Family of Disabled,the exhibition titled Beyond Limits comprises works by over 70 specially-abled artists. The selection process begins months in advance. We got over 100 applications, adds Caur,who was in the jury with artist Sudip Roy. Their picks include Bangalore-based speech and hearing impaired artist R Venkateshs watercolours,that give a glimpse into the rural life,34-year-old Rajasthan-based Imamuddins canvases depicting tigers in the wild and Gurgaon-based Amita Duttas works that blend coffee powder with fibre colour.

There might not be too many red dots on the walls yet,but Caur is hopeful. The works are impressive and they are reasonably priced between Rs 3,000 to a lakh, adds Preeti Johar,CEO of the NGO. Caur points out that she too is a collector. Between me and my mother weve purchased three works, she notes,looking at one of the purchases Chennai-based artist G Prabhakars canvas with a vintage car occupying a narrow street.