At her home in Kolkata, India, Myna Kakar hosts art workshops and displays new works. She will hold a viewing of some paintings from her current repertoire of artists in Dubai tomorrow
It is known as The Verandah. And that is exactly what it is. A cosy, airy verandah overlooking a beautifully maintained garden. But what makes this portico in Myna Kakar's home in the Indian city of Kolkata special are the paintings adorning every inch of space on the walls and the floor.
The paintings are an eclectic mix of media and styles by well known as well as upcoming Bengali artists. And this verandah has become a favourite meeting place for artists and art lovers who drop in either to display new works, or to buy paintings, or to participate in art workshops or to just enjoy the 'artful' ambience and discuss art over a cup of coffee.
Myna prefers to call her verandah 'the art source', but there is no doubt that it is one of the most popular art galleries in a city where art is a way of life.
Myna is currently on a private visit to Dubai. She is pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic response to the paintings she has carried with her and feels encouraged to hold in Dubai, exhibitions similar to the ones she hosts in her verandah.
To understand the needs of art lovers here and to create awareness about Indian art, Myna will hold a viewing of some paintings from her current repertoire of artists in the Liwa Building, Bur Dubai, from 11am to 5pm tomorrow.
"The art scene in Kolkata is vibrant and buyers are spoilt for choice. My verandah is popular because people trust my judgement and also because having no overheads I am able to offer the works at reasonable prices," says Myna.
A graduate in fine art, she has a talent for discovering promising artists. "It all began when my friends liked the paintings in my home and requested me to buy art for them. Before I knew it, I was an art consultant to several art lovers and investors.
"Soon, young artists looking for new avenues to sell their work, began approaching me to display their paintings and the verandah gradually transformed into an art gallery," recalls Myna.
Today, works by upcoming artists hang side by side with pastels, watercolours, acrylic and fibreglass paintings and sculptures by well-known names such as Aditya Basak, Shuvaprasanna, Sekhar Roy, Sanatan Dinda and Dilip Chaudhary.
And the art buyers come not only from Kolkata, but from all over India. "A large part of my sales are to non-resident Indians, who select the paintings by e-mail and have then couriered," says Myna. She also hosts several art workshops throughout the year.
"Many senior artists volunteer to conduct these workshops. During the monsoon, I hold workshops for women in the verandah. Many of them have never held a brush in their hands before, but develop an appreciation for art after making their own paintings.
"During winter I invite professional artists and amateurs to get together and paint in the garden and then hold an exhibition of the paintings. We have also held exhibitions to raise money for cancer patients and other charitable causes," says Myna.
"I hope to bring the artistic spirit and ambience of my verandah to Dubai soon."
Myna's tips
Here's what she tells upcoming artists:
- Be true to yourself and do not copy anybody else's style.
- Keep your prices low, so that your work finds its way to more homes and you are talked about.
- Evolve by experimenting with different media and styles.
- Be imaginative, but focussed.
Keep track of trends in art to widen your horizons.
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