Getting Started

More than 100 artists are participating but there is no well-known name. The display,too,is average and one of the few works that stand out is an installation called Euro 14 by Mangesh Rajguru,who completed his Bachelor in Fine Arts from Jamia Millia this year. Rajguru has commented on pollution by painting his old scooter white and giving it wings,with oxygen masks as an attachment. “These will soon be compulsory,” he says. Rajguru adds that the fair is “a platform for someone who is starting out”. “Direct interaction with the viewers assures feedback and,with gallerists expected to visit,one can expect tie-ups,” he says.

Singh points out how,unlike the Indian Art Summit,where galleries represent artists — the stalls at IIAF are by artists themselves. “We want artists to interact directly with the audience,” he says. Spread over 1,660 sq ft are around 40 stalls and participating artists come from cities like Mumbai,Bhopal,Hyderabad,Pune and Lucknow.

Apart from Rajguru,Mumbai-based Mahendra Bhagat makes an impact with his fibreglass installations of various stages of Picasso’s life. The Cubist artist’s image is painted in many shades— red,with the hammer and sickle,shows him being awarded the Lenin Peace Prize; blue,with a dove,symbolises the peace movement; while another with rakish playboy overtones refers to him as a “womaniser”. A portrait in gold,with a crown,declares him as “the king”.

“An art fair is a success if people turn up and there is decent art on display,” says Bhagat. Mumbai-based Shiri Mehra has only two works on display. “I am here to build contacts. I hope to get assignments,” he explains. Singh adds that a book release,of art critic Suneet Chopra’s Meri Uchaou Se,and a poetry reading organised by another art critic,Prayag Shukla,on Friday,should help attract the crowds.

Entry is from Gate No 7. Passes cost Rs 250 per day and are available at the venue