Trade Route

Picasso traded artwork with friend Henri Matisse. In Kolkata,tourists are often led to the quaint Azad Hind Dhaba...

Picasso traded artwork with friend Henri Matisse. In Kolkata,tourists are often led to the quaint Azad Hind Dhaba,where a penniless MF Husain ordered food in between painting a huge mural that now occupies pride of place in this eatery on Ballygunge Circular Road. Similarly,British dentist Adrian Mullish had Damien Hirst as a patient. He collected his fees in kind and has built up a formidable collection of valuable works by Hirst. Art history is replete with amusing anecdotes of barter and people exchanging canvases for services. The tradeoff might be questionable and rare when times for artists were good but now it seems to be on a comeback artwork can be acquired against medical and legal aid or even sponsoring a trip for the artist to an exotic locale.

Log on to the portal India Art News and a quick search leads to the Art Barter community where several works,including a Bose Krishnamachari canvas priced at approximately Rs 6 lakh,are available in exchange for another artwork. An untitled Sunil Das pen on paper of horses,that usually sells for over Rs 1 lakh,is also available here. The aim is to help people attain artwork without spending money, says Bangalore-based gallerist UV Umesh,founder of the community that has 48 members. He adds,Those interested in striking a deal can post what theyre willing to trade on the network,or establish direct contact with another member. The concept should interest collectors who have numerous works of a single artist and people who are looking to build a collection, explains Umesh.

Perhaps he could take a few tips from New York-based artist and curator Antonio Puri who has initiated the movement Art4Barter on a global scale. The idea was conceived three years ago when I heard my son trading with his friends, recalls Puri,42. After several brainstorming sessions with artists,last year he organised the first exhibition of the group in Philadelphia. On the walls were works by over 10 artists. The plaques alongside quoted the goods and service required by the artist in return for the work,ranging from medical and electrical service to air tickets,art material and another artwork. Artists and art buyers of all financial background should be able access an alternative market that has potential for growth and recognition. Creating a contemporary bartering practice has that potential, says US-based Indian origin artist Anjali Deshmukh who was part of an exhibition organised by Puri in New York in March. The artwork she intended to exchange for food,art supplies and rent did not find takers but fellow artist Paul Santoleri did manage to sell his work for medical services.

Unlike its international counterpart the Indian network has not recorded transactions but Umesh is hopeful. Word of advice comes from the director of Shrine Empire Gallery,Shefali Somani. There is a need to establish a better system with specific rules because people are unclear about the valuations she says. While Umesh sets out to fulfill the task,Puri too has plans to tap the Indian art mart. The negotiation with artists is on and he is on the lookout for a gallery to host the exhibition. There will be no rent and an artwork of mine will be given in exchange, he smiles. Any takers?

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