Indian artists abroad fetch higher price in India
Art shows in India by Indian artists settled abroad have increased over the past few years and are on the rise.
By Ashoke Nag, TNN |
KOLKATA: Art shows in India by Indian artists settled abroad have increased over the past few years and are on the rise.
Well-known overseas-based artists exhibiting in India are SH Raza, Sujata Bajaj, Sakti Burman, Viswanadhan, Maya Burman, Anju Chowdhury and Shahabuddin to mention a few.
“This trend is being fuelled by the booming Indian economy and a deepening taste for art among wealthy businessmen in the country. In this upbeat economic situation, people have spare funds, which they can invest in art.
A large cross-section of this community is also travelling abroad and dropping by at galleries and museums there. These experiences are helping them to develop an understanding of and love for art,” famed Paris-based Bangladeshi artist Shahabuddin told ET.
He felt that the world had ignored India for many years and may not have realised that India could come to this level of economic growth, which has also impacted the art sector.
“I have always felt that India is like an elephant. Very few, I think, could gauge that it could suddenly pace up like this,” Shahabuddin said. “This phenomenon of Indian artists abroad putting up shows in India has been picking up steadily over the past 10 years,” he added.
Shahabuddin said he had first shown in a solo show in India in 1993. Till now, he had participated in six solos in the country. Together with other names, these shows had unfolded across Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
“Every year, there is something happening in India revolving around Indian artists living and working overseas. Either there are art camps, book launches, workshops or other related events. We did not witness such a climate 10-12 years ago. This is a good sign. Incidentally, Indian artists showing in India are largely Europe-based,” Shahabuddin said.
These artists, those who are acclaimed sometimes fetch higher prices in India than they do abroad. This is may be because their acceptance in India is greater back home than in the overseas art scene.
Arguably, in that sense, they may be more successful in India than in the West. “Acquisitions of Indian art by mainstream foreigners needs to grow more,” Shahabuddin said. “Purchases are still triggered mostly by the Indian diaspora.”
According to him, the artists who have migrated to Europe, especially Paris, have done so because of “security and liberty.” “Though they may have faced a phase of struggle, they gradually tasted success. Their shows in India will keep increasing for the next 10 years,” Shahabuddin said.
Well-known overseas-based artists exhibiting in India are SH Raza, Sujata Bajaj, Sakti Burman, Viswanadhan, Maya Burman, Anju Chowdhury and Shahabuddin to mention a few.
“This trend is being fuelled by the booming Indian economy and a deepening taste for art among wealthy businessmen in the country. In this upbeat economic situation, people have spare funds, which they can invest in art.
A large cross-section of this community is also travelling abroad and dropping by at galleries and museums there. These experiences are helping them to develop an understanding of and love for art,” famed Paris-based Bangladeshi artist Shahabuddin told ET.
He felt that the world had ignored India for many years and may not have realised that India could come to this level of economic growth, which has also impacted the art sector.
“I have always felt that India is like an elephant. Very few, I think, could gauge that it could suddenly pace up like this,” Shahabuddin said. “This phenomenon of Indian artists abroad putting up shows in India has been picking up steadily over the past 10 years,” he added.
Shahabuddin said he had first shown in a solo show in India in 1993. Till now, he had participated in six solos in the country. Together with other names, these shows had unfolded across Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
“Every year, there is something happening in India revolving around Indian artists living and working overseas. Either there are art camps, book launches, workshops or other related events. We did not witness such a climate 10-12 years ago. This is a good sign. Incidentally, Indian artists showing in India are largely Europe-based,” Shahabuddin said.
These artists, those who are acclaimed sometimes fetch higher prices in India than they do abroad. This is may be because their acceptance in India is greater back home than in the overseas art scene.
Arguably, in that sense, they may be more successful in India than in the West. “Acquisitions of Indian art by mainstream foreigners needs to grow more,” Shahabuddin said. “Purchases are still triggered mostly by the Indian diaspora.”
According to him, the artists who have migrated to Europe, especially Paris, have done so because of “security and liberty.” “Though they may have faced a phase of struggle, they gradually tasted success. Their shows in India will keep increasing for the next 10 years,” Shahabuddin said.
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