Eighty artists, old and new, are displaying their works at CIMA Art Mela — the annual showcase at CIMA Gallery that has been bringing affordable art to collectors.
The artworks are displayed in a style where an artist like Paresh Maity may be on the same wall as an emerging artist. The prices start from Rs 2,000 this year.
“The difference we have noticed this year is that big-timers are coming – and buying big time! Art Mela has worked because people who used to buy limited numbers are also here. The budget was small, but now they have expanded their budget,” said Rakhi Sarkar, director of CIMA Gallery.
“We are getting people from Mumbai and Delhi just for this mela,” said Pratiti Basu Sarkar, chief administrator, CIMA Gallery. The success of CIMA in Kolkata has also paved the way for the showcase to take place in Delhi and Mumbai.
Edition with a vision
Art Mela was conceived with a vision to democratise art. “We wanted to bring the average person to the gallery and expand collectorship. That is what our aim is,” said Rakhi Sarkar.
Art, Pratiti Basu Sarkar said, helps people develop aesthetic taste. “When people come here, they see art and train their eyes. They form their taste and it develops from there. You are, in a way, preparing and educating for the future,” she said.
Pratiti Basu Sarkar, the chief administrator of CIMA, believes the Art Mela is a safe space for artists to experiment
Speaking more about training one’s eyes, Rakhi Sarkar said that when one sees good artworks, the eyes get trained. The idea of looking at contemporary, modern and serious art, is a learning process. “And this place is a wonderful way to start,” she said.
Pratiti Basu Sarkar said artists enjoy being a part of CIMA Art Mela because it gives them space to experiment. “Many of the artists have come out with new works and you can see the stark difference,” she said.
Buyers and collectors
Businessman Manoj Agarwal and interior designer Sonam Gala were making the rounds of the gallery when My Kolkata caught up with them. “I am here to learn, and have started to like art. Sonam (daughter of interior designer Kiran Gala) has come from Mumbai to help me select paintings for my house. And I am buying some for investment,” Agarwal said. And how many did he pick? “Over 75 paintings.”
When we asked Sonam about her impression of the mela, she said, “The prices are great – I know because we take part in auctions. Compared to that, these paintings are extremely well-priced. You can see that the artists are doing it out of passion. The owners told me that they want the paintings to reach people who can’t always afford good art. It should not only be in luxurious houses,” she said.
Sonam Gala and Manoj Agarwal
Dr Nivedita Dutta has been coming to CIMA Gallery for the past 10 years. “It is quite rare that you get to see the work of young and veteran artists together. So, here is the opportunity, because the veterans are always present at large showcases. This idea at CIMA is innovative and I’m sure the new artists wait for these opportunities. CIMA gives them an avenue and I am here to see the young talents,” said the doctor.
Nivedita Dutta
Himamauli Das was there to take some paintings back home to the US. “I usually look for pieces here that are brighter and more distinctive and with a personality. I like taking them back home and I have art collected over several years from CIMA Gallery. People in the US really like looking at them and it reminds me of India. I come here every year and I can see the price range is increasing, but it is a good way of introducing myself to everything that I see,” said the lawyer. Who has been his go-to artist? “I have been buying a lot of Chandrima Roy. Her art is bright and vivacious.”
Himamauli Das
One of the first people at the gallery on opening day was Dr D. Bagchi. “Here, you get famous artworks that suit the pocket in most cases. And this is one place where you can see a wide variety of works. I am not an artist or painter, but I like to look at art being displayed and it gives me joy. At times, it becomes a good investment as well. So, this is the perfect crossroad,” he said, browsing through the works on display.
D. Bagchi
Subhabrata Ghosh has been coming to CIMA Gallery since 2010. “I am looking at artists like Paramjit Singh and I am here to buy some as well. It is amazing to see how there are so many options that fit the pocket. That is the USP here,” he said. On his previous visits, the IT professional has collected paintings from Jogen Chowdhury, Shuvaprasanna, Lalu Prasad Shaw and others.
Subhabrata Ghosh
Artists speak
Artist Sadikul Islam was present to showcase his watercolours. “This painting is a landscape with a cow and a cowboy. It is part of a series, and I have worked on it for four years. It’s also an experimental piece. This does have a realistic idea, but normally you don’t see such reddish skies. When it comes to paintings, the thinking takes more time than the painting itself,” he said.
Sadikul Islam
Shyamal Roy showcased his paintings and terracotta sculptures. “I have a certificate as a painter and after college, I got interested in terracotta. This is why, if you see, my paintings and sculptures look quite similar. It has been 40 years since I passed out and I found my heart in art. I am indebted to CIMA for giving me these opportunities,” he said.
Shyamal Roy
Sandip Roy has been involved with CIMA since 2012. “CIMA has supported me for a long time and it’s great because you get to see new artists here. There’s miniature work and large sculptures all under one roof. It is a whole new experience. Such collections also give collectors a new perspective on art,” said the watercolour artist.
Sandip Roy
For Satyajit Roy, CIMA is a platform to experiment with his work. “I have been with CIMA for 10 years now. First, I used to draw, but then I shifted to more colourful paintings. In my mind, these colours attract me. And in my different bodies of work, I show a character displaying different emotions. I emphasise those emotions with gestures and postures,” he said.
