International Calls

With artists like SH Raza fetching a record-setting 16 crore at the Christie’s auction in June,and others like Jehangir Sabavala and Bharti Kher setting personal records of whopping sales,the fact that Indian art is doing well at international auctions is evident. Taking forward the renewed interest in Indian art is the annual India Art Summit,the country’s largest art fair,whose next edition will take off in January 2011. “We’re very pleased with the quality of galleries,both national and international,that have been selected and the breadth of modern and contemporary art that will be presented at the upcoming fair,” says Neha Kirpal,director of the Summit,adding that the upcoming edition will have the largest number of international participants.

So far 34 international and 84 national galleries have already registered for the fair. The list of international participants is quite impressive already. From London,UK the Lisson Gallery will participate for the third time,Thomas Erben Gallery,New York,USA,comes back a second time,the Sundaram Tagore Gallery in Hong Kong,China,makes an entry as does the Galerie Kashya Hildebrand,Zurich,Switzerland,Aicon Gallery,New York,USA,Grosvenor Gallery,London,UK. Other first time entrants include Galerie Frank Elbaz,Paris,France,Die Galerie Frankfurt,Germany,The Drawing Room Gallery,Makati City,The Philippines and Greenaway Gallery Adelaide,Australia to name a few. Michelle D’Souza,director,Thomas Erben Gallery,says,“We are privileged to play a role in the ‘internationalisation’ of the Indian art world. So we are thrilled to be back at this exciting event.” “This event will provide clients an opportunity to see vetted original and authentic works of art. They will be able to meet the specialist dealers and ask them questions and see what each gallery has to offer. So we are looking at the Summit as a good arena for leading Indian and international galleries,” says Conor Macklin,director,Grosvenor Gallery.

Suman Aggarwal,director,Indigo Blue Art,Singapore is equally upbeat. “It’s an ideal platform for international galleries to tap into a growing market of collectors who are on the lookout for a new vision of Indian art,rich in creativity,global experience and an alternative gaze. We want to showcase diaspora artists from around the globe. India is experiencing a new trend of diaspora artists snaking into the local market. These artists are exploring the language of the Indian influenced by India,yet away from the nation,whilst simultaneously,providing a mediating space between the east and the west,” she says.

For Cesar Villalon,director,the Drawing Room,the Philippines it was the perception of India as a “major player” that led him to participate this year. “We had to include the India Art Summit in our schedule of international art fairs because it’s now a sophisticated art market. I believe more and more major international galleries will join this fair next year and beyond. The India art scene is exciting and fast changing the world of art fairs,” he says.