In-house affair

Wearing many hats is common in the art world what with artists doubling as curators and curators often filling the space of critics.

Curators and critics interchange spaces but so do gallery owners and artists these days

Wearing many hats is common in the art world what with artists doubling as curators and curators often filling the space of critics. The latest trend has artists turning gallery owners while gallery owners are trying their hand at art.

Recently we have seen quite a few of the latter and some of the former. Priyasri Patodia8217;s eponymous Worli gallery displayed a video work that she created for a group show. Tradition Art, Juhu, opened by Bina Aziz and Zarine Khan, last week, also showcases Aziz8217;s paintings.

Samina Lokhandwala whose gallery Sam8217;s Art Hub launched with a show featuring her work along with Geeta Tambe is another instance of the same kind. Painter Ghayathri Desai, who lived in the UK for years,

returned to Mumbai recently to open her gallery, DD Neroy Gallery near Opera House. The space is currently hosting her solo, Sadhana: A Tribute to Gauri Shankar.

8220;One may argue that there are galleries opening almost every fortnight all over the city but still there is not enough space for many artists to show. That is why I decided to open a gallery of my own. I have already had to solo shows at the Museum Gallery so, having my show at my gallery is not really an issue for me,8221; says Desai.

However, she insists her own leanings as a spiritual artist does not influence her choice of artists for shows at the gallery. Yet, most of the shows have a spiritual bent, whether it is the group exhibition of artists painting Buddha or the upcoming show that focuses on Lord Krishna and Buddha. 8220;Since I am an artist, I8217;m able to understand the art better and empathise with the plight of artists better,8221; says Desai.

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Patodia, however, feels there needs to be a distance between her role as a gallerist and work as an artist. Many in Body8212;One in Mind, the show in which she debuted as an artist, was really an experimental attempt and does not indicate the gallery owner is considering embarking on it full-time. 8220;Showing with Enith Perez and Srinivas Mangipudi was fun, an experiment where we explored the

desires for comfort and happiness. I8217;m sure I can explore my interest in video art and installation further. Now, my commitment to the gallery is the priority,8221; says Patodia.

For Lokhandwala, opening an art gallery was always a dream. The family pressure had her work as a lawyer. Now, she has dedicated the later half of her professional life to running her gallery. 8220;I want to make the space interactive with lectures and workshops for children. It is true that it8217;s hard to get noticed as an artist if one has not had 8216;formal8217; training. In many ways, my gallery caters to art that is different,8221; says Lokhandwala, who is also exploring Dubai as a new venue for art.