Art world draws collectors with shows, book launches

KOLKATA: Retrospective shows of artists, combined with book launches on the artist, are hitting the popularity charts in the art world. Collectors are not only getting exposed to a sweep of the artist���s works in the retros, the book titles, which are generally comprehensive, lend an insight into the life and creativity of the artist.

Documentation of the works in the books also generally raise their prices in the market as they lend authenticity especially if the artist is alive and endorses the contents.

���In the past couple of years, retrospective shows with book launches have increased significantly. With the Indian art market following the growth curve, collectors are not only keen on acquiring artworks, but exhaustive books on the artists. The publications give an historical perspective of the artist, his or her creative approach and their personal lives,��� an art market source told ET.

Among the retros which have unfolded in recent times is a large retrospective centred on Satish Gujral with a book launch. The book, titled Artography, was tremendously appreciated by critics, collectors and book lovers.

Similarly, The Guild Art Gallery, Mumbai, had a retrospective of Sudhir Patwardhan which also saw a book, The Crafting of Reality. This show also travelled to Kolkata���s Galerie 88. National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi had thrown open a broad canvas retro of Bengal School master Benode Behari Mukhopadhyay which was crowned by a book on the renowned painter.



Recently, Emami Chisel Art (ECA) unveiled a retro of Abani Sen which was complemented by a book called Whispered Legacy. ECA is also mounting another event along similar lines, this time revolving around veteran artist Haku Shah.

A book, titled Maanush, is also being released during the show. The Shah show will embrace 64 works and is being staged in collaboration with Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai, Art Indus and New Delhi���s Centre for Media & Alternative Communication. Haku Shah���s works will ranges across oils, acrylics, collages and drawings.

Amongst the latest such events, Kolkata had also seen a retrospective hovering around the well-known Lalu Prasad Shaw. Fielded by Sanskriti Art Gallery, the show had also witnessed the launch of a book on Shaw. The city���s leading Akar Prakar Gallery had come up with a retro of Sanat Kar and a book release.

���A well-researched and detailed publication injects an artist���s work with that element of authenticity and provenance. A living artist can also underscore that the works in the book are genuine. Even in case of a dead artist, a voluminous book with a wide spectrum of works invariably comes under the scanner of critics and other artists who can confirm whether the published artworks were created by the concerned painter or sculptor. This adds more weight to an artist���s repertoire,��� the source said.