“Art is like a marathon race, it is continuous,” says Mr. Varma, the owner of an art gallery, who has been a part of the art scene in New Delhi for nearly thirty years. He talks about the value of art as an investment, as well as the importance of staying in touch with the history of art, which adds to one’s knowledge regarding the creative industry.
The Great Indian Art Scene
‘The Story Teller’ an oil painting by Amrita Sher-Gil created history by becoming the most expensive Indian artwork to ever be auctioned, fetching ₹61.8 Crores at Saffronart 2023. Typically, there are four kinds of paintings popular in India, done in: drawing, acrylic, water colours, or oil. Every artist has his/her own individual style, which could vary from medium of paint to the use of tools like palette knife, brush, or free-hand. A thick pigment of oil is used by artist Durga Charandas in his painting of the Banaras Ghat, which gives an effect of water colours.
Contemporary artists such as Sanjeev Mandal and Durga Charandas work on landscapes, inspired by the real landscapes from across India, such as the Banaras Ghat. Art restoration has also witnessed a rise in the present times. Serigraphs by M.F. Husain are original copies of his paintings, which are released as limited editions. Art Galleries issue authentication certificates to the new owners of the art.
Artists in India work on landscapes, abstract, figurative and semi-figurative pieces. Influences of progressive art from the 1950s as well as the European renaissance can be traced in such paintings. For example, Nawal Kishore, an artist taught by the great Neeraj Goswami, uses cubism in his female figures, a technique which was introduced by Pablo Picasso.
There are also elements of Indian folk style prevalent in certain pieces. For instance, the following painting by senior artist Madhuri Bhaduri has captured the beauty in the culture of Rajasthan, through the simplicity present in the figurative painting, while also depicting the sandy landscape of the state:
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Art as an investment
“A painting will grow onto you” says Mr. Varma, the art gallery owner. To understand how the market valuation of art works, it is important to visit art galleries, and attend exhibitions. Constantly keeping oneself updated with news of the art scene, as well as reading up on the history of art through the last century, also helps in evaluating the true essence of the artwork, which can further add value to one’s art collection.. An artistic piece has similar holding capacity to that of the share market.
“Buy them young!” says Mr. Varma, referring to buying art from emerging artists, as those artworks tend to notice growth in market valuation over time. Their affordability makes for a good investment opportunity, with significant returns over time.
Another point to note while investing in art is that it can also be insured. Paintings can be insured against loss such as wear and tear, scratches etc caused by elements like fire. Such insurance policies cover corporate as well as individual collectors, fine art dealers etc.
Art for Charity
From 14th to 21st December 2024, an art exhibition will be held at D-888, New Friends Colony, New Delhi – 110025, in association with ETASHA Society. The participating artists of this exhibition include Anjolie Ela Menon, Dharmadhikari, Dinesh Ram, Durga Charandas, G Raman, Madhuri Bhaduri, Nawal Kishore, Sanjeev Mandal, Suhas Roy, T. Vaikuntam and Vilas Kulkarni.
By choosing to purchase the works of these artists in the exhibition organised in association with ETASHA Society, you can make an impactful contribution towards youth vocational training, skilling & employment.
At ETASHA Society, our mission is to enable adolescents, youth and women from less privileged communities to achieve economic independence and well-being through counselling, skilling, and linking them with resources. By becoming a part of Art for Charity, you can take this cause forward.
Invest in art, to invest in brighter futures.
About ETASHA: ETASHA Society, a not-for-profit organisation has been working to uplift resource-poor, underserved communities through sustained employment and income generation since 2006. Our comprehensive approach targets entire communities, with a special focus on youth, adolescents, and women. We equip them with the skills, confidence, and mindset required to thrive in modern work environments.
Written by Rounak Khare, Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (2024-2026)