Bhubaneswar, March 26: Traditional and contemporary works of local artists will shortly have a new launch pad - an art gallery at the Biju Patnaik International Airport's domestic terminal.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has given its nod to the airport director to seek artworks for the gallery that it wants to be ready by the end of April. 'We have sought artworks from local artists and they will be available with us by the second week of April. After scrutiny by a panel of experts, they will be displayed in the security area of the airport where passengers gather after check-in,' said airport director Sharad Kumar.

Between five and six works of art would be displayed at a time in the proposed gallery. Both paintings and sculptures will be eligible for display. There will be a business model as well for the displayed art objects.

'We will allow the artists to put price tags on their works. If an artwork is sold, the artist will get 90 per cent of the price and the AAI will keep 10 per cent for its services. Every art object will be on display for a fortnight. If the art work finds no takers, it will be returned to the artist,' said the airport director.

The new domestic terminal has been designed keeping traditional Odishan art and culture in mind. Two famous events - the car festival in Puri and Kartik Poornima that recalls state's maritime tradition - have been depicted prominently on the walls near the arrival and departure lounges of the terminal.

'We have also created a panel containing beautiful stone carvings near the two VIP restrooms at the two ends of the main terminal building,' he said.

Eminent artist and art historian Dinanath Pathy said: 'It's good that the AAI authorities have decided to have an art gallery at the airport.'

'Big airports in metro cities have started having such art galleries and the Calcutta airport was the pioneer in this,' he said.

Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi secretary and founder of Odisha Modern Art Gallery Tarakanta Parida termed the project by AAI as innovative. 'I hope young and talented artists benefit financially through this venture,' he said.

Eminent sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra said: 'Displaying paintings will be an easy task, but if the sculptors want to display their, then the AAI authorities need to ensure a bigger display area. I hope the venture will help all kinds of artists, famous and budding.' Sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo said: 'Statues in the range of 6-8 inches can be handled properly, but handling bigger statues made of stone or metal will certainly create problems. But if the AAI officials wish, I am ready to display my work there.'