How to create an artist portfolio that attracts galleries |Gayatri Singh|

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, okay here. Hello Welcome to the podcast guides We how are you.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Good. It’s great to be here joining you. How are you.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Thank you so much I’m very well let’s start to get you. Let’s start by getting to know you everyone who’s listening. Can you introduce yourself who you are where you coming from and a little bit about yourself.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Okay, um I actually started out in Sept four years ago ah though I do not come from an art background. My mother was you know in the art business for 25 years and

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, okay, yes.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yes.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): It was something I was exposed to all my life. Um I actually you know was a consultant I worked with Anderson with yeah iu and run an education business but somewhere you know I wasn’t happy I was looking for.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, and.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Ah, greater purpose and I wanted work not to feel like work and I think that’s when art andep came about um I think one of the real reasons art and sepp came about was because in India what we saw was there was a huge amount of spotlight.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, like yeah.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Unestablished artists names Masters while a lot of really creative, emerging artists were not given a platform and also I think very important to is that they were not given the kind of knowledge that one needed. To navigate through quite a complicated art World. So That’s how.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, absolutely I think we share that in common for sure, right? Tell me something tell me something. Ah one second

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Tell me something um, can we talk a little bit about I I will go where you started with art insight but also no like you said you did not come from an art background but you also grew up in a lot of surrounded by art. Can you talk about your early. Experiences that have really shaped who you are Today. You’re running this gallery. You know working. Um, how has those because I strongly fillli feel the early years of her life. They really you know they become these navigating points and guides that really bring us back to who we are as we grow.

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**** – (): Gayatri

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Can you talk a little bit about growing up in a style where art plays an important role and how that has impacted you today as your own role as a calgaryist.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Okay, so I grew up in a very small town I grew up in dojale. Yeah, so yes I was surrounded by Beauty You know we had the Himalas you know you woke up to the himalan mountain range.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, okay, but oh Wow I didn’t know that wonderful god.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): And it was I think I mean natural beauty was just a complete part of my existence you know? Ah, my mother was always involved in some form with art initially she used to do a lot more on around design and then slowly started to kind of.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, okay.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, okay.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): You know, collect art and it started first as a collection and then when we moved to Delhi she set up an art gallery. Ah so you know at a very early age I used to keep seeing art around me have conversations with artists that all this.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Fascinated me and I think even though you know there was this whole tendency of picking up. You know I’d studied economics you know, did computer science. You know that was a very regular expected feel where you know a woman wanted to kind of you know walk.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah, yeah.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): And you know, kind of create something for herself. It was just one of those things but I remember that even in my you know when I first started the education company I would kind of lean into design I would love to kind of design stuff. You know with when my mom’s gallery as to always.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah, um.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay, so.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Design her brochures though I had no formal training. So I think the creativity was something that I was really in world with when I was in the yeah uk I even set up as you know ah indian art gallery for 2 years with an interior designer english interior designer in the Uk with.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): You know what I was doing you know and so it was always a part of my life and I think I loved it so much but never looked at it as a career because I think it was just something that you never thought of you know and.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Video. But you also had your mother being a galris I’m sure you must have also seen the good in the bad part. The hard part and something that you know so you for the you that would be a possibility then what was that that wasn’t that was holding you back because you. Had a mother who was also running a gallery but what was that thing that didn’t let you take the leap in the first case.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): I Think it’s also my education you know doing economics doing business management. You know, working in the consulting form. Um, you know you get spoilt and terms of but it’s also you get trapped into the Rat Race and.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah. That is.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): And I think it was that point when I had to move back. Ah because my father wasn’t well so we moved back from the yeah Uk and I think that’s when it you know I started thinking about purpose about what I really enjoyed that that is that time When. Things are not going right when it comes to family or losing someone. That’s when you really start kind of questioning what you’re doing and and I was also at that point helping mom on a few things while I was working and then I just decided I mean I saw that there is this.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah I can relate without.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Beautiful space where there are young artists who are doing such great work. You know there isn’t anyone who’s just looking at him you know, giving them a platform I decided Okay, let me start small and then you know build it from there and I think.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): And.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, okay, okay.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Change that all that you’d learn in business. You know it is all applies in the art business and there is the need. Yeah.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yes is it is pretty same irrespective if you’re running a gallery or you’re in independent art as you’re running a studio at the end of the day you have to treat it like a business if you want to do it sustainably.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Exactly. So I think now you know I found that space where I have everything.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Amazing! Tell me a little bit about your early years of art set like you know how? what was what did you expect a lot lot of times you know when we start something. Um, sometimes there are good surprises and sometimes there are bad surprises something oh I didn’t expect. Um. You’re in 4 years in but can you talk a little bit about what you expected out of it and how it turned some some of your own struggles and hardships that you’ve experienced so far.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): I Think one of the toughest things was you know when you’re working with young emerging artists. They need a lot of Support. You need to build the infrastructure that gives them a platform which is equivalent to you know? what? um. You know a mid level or a senior artist gets but financially it’s very difficult to balance that because your emerging artist has to be priced at the point where a young collector who doesn’t loves the work doesn’t have to think twice before picking it up.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, right.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Can. Right? Which is.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Yet, we need to be at an art fair. You know which is fun. So otherwise you don’t provide them a platform for growth. So I think just being that financially was a huge huge year you know in the initially was a struggle.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Absolutely.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Intake. Yeah, yeah, and yeah.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): But I think what’s really interesting is that emerging art which you know I was always looking at the fact that you know they’re interesting. You know they’re doing great work. They need a platform but I think what. You really realize when you’re working with them is their voices are of today. It’s about the problems the you know connection of what’s happening in the world today. It mirrors that and I think that’s really where there there’s a lot of interest because you started even yourself looking at.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Rank.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): The world around you a little differently. You know so you’ll know said.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Absolutely what is the kind of work that you resonate with and in specifically in all these years. What is the kind of of work that you like to support more or connects with you and you feel like aligns with the values of the calorie. Um, what does that look like.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): So the gallery is very very focused on bringing about raw voices. So no voices from so it’s really from the roots so we are looking at artists who are from farmers and you know artists from the andamans.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I. I do.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): All.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Um, you know talking about problems or their lives in you know, even marginal communities. So there’s this real voices from all over in you know India so it’s not about like just you know what’s happening in the city. So I think that’s one something we want.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, communities.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah, um.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Kind of continuously look at is looking at you know, um, a lot of artists from various parts of various communities coming forward and sharing their stories. So you know I’d give you an example I mean 1 of our artists could um for example, he was you know.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, right? yes.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): From a tribal space in Andaman’s you know a daily way your son who was looking at art where his family didn’t even understand that art was a career you know and from there you know with very little working in a garage he comes and studies.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um I can.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, and this yeah yeah.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Art in you know in India in ah in you know, but in Delhi and you know how his story is about the tribal you know belt of right of andmans and then of course as they move to cities how that changes so it’s it’s yeah so it’s.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Changes Yeah know. But how do you find these stories and artists. What is you know? how do you look at work. How do you find that this is and how you also as a galway I think as a galian as as an artist also as a gallery.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Really I think we are looking at raw stories coming from parts of India.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): As an artist or you know art and art collector. It’s like matchmaking all of these things are like you know you have to find um a good a good fit of each other. How do you look for that match. How do you look for your artist and you feel like okay this could be something that could be a good match for you and the cal.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): So we look at um, you know a number of things. Of course we look at the backstory you know, ah where the artist is from. You know what motivates them conceptually you know how unique you know the artist is we also you know as a gallery look at. Skill and Materiality. You know the kind of innovation that is in those areas and so it’s I think a combination of that. It’s the concept. You know how unique that is how real the story is and how it connects with you know your heart as well as. You know the skill the materiality you know and the way they’re implementing it. You know what? they’re kind of wanting to say the expression.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Night amazing. You also said you came from the u u k and then you also started working in India I’m sure you must have spent some time even in the u k looking at the art for how art was there and then working in India. Do you see any any kind of similarity and dissimilarity. Let’s say in both the markets and um speak both in in terms of as an art market but also as artist you know how you approach artist in the art that you’re looking at.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): I think there there is a lot of differences. You know in terms of one. Um I think in India you don’t really have true art critiy so you know there is no I mean there is very little research papers or.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah, and.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): You know, even writers who you know ah analyze artists and that could be positive as well as negative so you know true here I think we don’t really have any of that. So there is second I feel that of course more than anything else. The art market.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Right.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Is very shallow less evolved um, less educated right now. So I think it is a lot of need to kind of develop and you know a young collector base so that you know artists could have a larger audience to show their art to.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, yeah.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): But you’re seeing that change happen already in the last three four years you know when I moved back it was you know there was a huge difference 15 years back and now there’s you know you are seeing that change happen. But.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Can you talk a little bit about this. You know how this is so complex for a lot of people who don’t understand and specifically who don’t get to speak and someone who’s let’s say for you who’s also come from a legacy of your mother being a part of the world. There’s so many different kind of collectors. A lot of collectors in India at the beginning of the years

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Is.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Have been about artists will always been about a I think it’s always been on the top of the funnel and like you said a lot of the same work in a lot of the same artists are being shown and represented and the artwork. Ah and that also has a lot to do with okay, a lot of the artists art was either done. Um, for investment a lot of time. It was prestige. You know there’s so many different way apis but I think you know when I see in the us um, and you know in the in the west side I think in India Craft is very deeply penetrated it right? You know I grew up in a smaller city and I see like from smaller to any big city now. Craft has always been a part of a culture. It’s not only top of the funnel. It’s just from where we start, you know people will have but art if I say paintings or something like that. It still is something resourceful or very selected. It has teach over the time now. Does become a little bit of more democratized but in the before that I think it was still still very limited to that audience was is in the west I’ve seen like you know I’ve seen young girls who would you know, save up and they want to you know if they they move to their first apartment or if they have their room. They’ll start by buying posters and then orange nu prints and then limited editions and then they’ll buy their paintings and you know it wasn’t only for the rich it was also for someone like you know for regular people and I think that ah increases the consumption and the maturity level.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Because they are they have this habit of collecting in different phases all through their life and they eventually become um you know, original art collectors or they’re looking at contemporary art or modern art or whatever. What’s a take on that.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): So you know I also kind of looked at that and I also come from our education curriculum side and if you look at the Uk and and even the us. Um, and you know art is a very is is a part of primary curriculum. You know.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): May.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, right? Yes, absolutely right? right? that’s.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Museum visits. You know, ah like learning about famous Artists. You know their lives. It’s a part of primary curriculum you know and their their reading lists always include you know a few. Famous artists that they have to read about their lives So You know they are introduced to art and the importance of art the stories very early on in life. So There is a relationship created which I feel is missing Here. You know and.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Right.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Night. Yeah.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Therefore it is for a gallery for institutions to spread. You know they have a harder you know job to actually build these stories.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah, right, right? right? and I think yeah, that’s really true because um I speak to so many people and so many people friends and you know in the us and for them. They have been even if they remotely think they’ve not been into the art world or they don’t know anything about art going to a museum has been something that you know people go for recreation versus even today in India a lot that does not happen like. Very few families. You’ll see specifically there is that one person who somewhere comes from the art world as the interest is an artist comes from a galleryway etc will pull a few people and take you there but very few families or people will see that they’re going to museums and it’s I think it’s increased over the time. But it’s still not a norm. It’s not as common. Okay, tell me how how are young collectors and contemporary art. The mindset of a young collector versus um, mature more seasoned collectors. Um, what are the trends that you’re seeing.

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**** – (): Gayatri

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Behaviors and I’m asking this also because a lot of artists that listen to the podcast are also self-representing. Um, thanks to social Media. We do not still have so many enough calories a lot of artists get the chance to represent themselves to support their career to sustain their you know their creativity. What is um. What if someone is an emerging Market. What should they know about the early collectors and how can you know they become better in. You know, approaching or attracting them.

**** – (): 18:34.97

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): It’s a good question and a tough one to answer also because um, we still are you know, very very focused. A lot of collectors are very focused on the first question we get is is this a good investment.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): And.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Second question is you know I mean do you have x artists and y artists because it tends to be that my friend has that artist and you know it’s recognizable and it’s something that if someone walks into their home. They’ll clearly recognize. Um so what we.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Test. Yeah.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Found is that you know you have to kind of look at the young collectors interested in stories you know and communicate your story. What’s behind your heart. You know the visuals are important. But I think the backstory is equally important. Do you have to.

**** – (): 19:18.80

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay.

**** – (): 19:31.83

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Connect You know they need to kind of connect with what you are as a person who you are and how that expression comes you know in your art and that’s what we try to do as much as possible.

**** – (): 19:37.76

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, and I.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): And what to your tips. How do artists let’s say let’s break it down for them for everyone who’s listening. How do we do specifically. Also how what is your perception in that ah look at social media. Do you look at artists on social Media. Um. If. So what do you specifically look at and how do you connect with them.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): So we are always looking at social media because our our job is to be. Yeah yeah in terms of our job is really to kind of always look at artists. You know what they’re doing you know, see growth. Um I think.

**** – (): 20:06.60

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): We live in such world.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): What really attracts you is especially and social media is a very very important tool for artists walking out of their studios. You know, um what we see and look for is you know one the visual of course that’s the first.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Five cent

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Attract you know and then the second thing it really always interests me is the process and so it’s nice to see an artist’s process and how they’re working you know the how different that is and I think artists should talk about their work. You know that.

**** – (): 20:43.18

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay.

**** – (): 20:57.95

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Watching somebody talk about their work and what’s behind their work and given emotive connect I think that really works.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Wonderful. Can you? What is the last person artist. You’ve been rolling over on social media. Do you have any name someone who’s on your mind someone who’s on your mind. Let’s see what social media does.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): That’s a tough 1

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Um, yeah strangely I don’t that’s a very tough 1 for me to answer.

**** – (): 21:27.45

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, we look at So um, if we look at so much work. There’s so much that we like and very little we remember I think in enough in a time with social media. What’s also become harder is to have a very strong recall like you know? Yeah, we we see so much that it’s so hard to remember.

**** – (): 21:36.28

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Stand out. Yeah.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): And the save button. It’s just it continually goes and goes and goes and it’s you mean? Yes, Absolutely I agree with that for sure and then it goes in the sea. Sometimes even though I remember I say something.

**** – (): 21:45.45

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Actually you know now I’ve stopped saving because I never go back. You know.

**** – (): 21:59.40

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): And I So even for our business we have so many accounts for my art I have account and I’m like I don’t know where I saved it and now when I merely need it I don’t know where it is amazing. What is what are your tips for let’s say artists specifically. Um.

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**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Yes, no no I Totally agree.

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**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Who who want to get a gallery representation and one that’s a poor system. What does? um, ah a working relationship with the gallery look like what to expect I think ah a very common conversation within the creative community as artist I’ve seen is that. There is a lot of confusion with what they expect um in this partnership and collaboration a lot of times they are you know either? The gallery is not clear or the art is not clear and there’s no no clear communication on how and. What they need to expect out of each other.. What are your? Um, what is your experience and take on that. What is a relationship for you Also look like.

**** – (): 23:00.12

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Okay I think ah with art and sept. It’s a little different because we we say we are mentors first before we ah our gallery. Um, you know as you know we run.

**** – (): 23:10.19

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yes, okay.

**** – (): 23:15.38

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): The inception grant which we get about. In fact, you know Thousand Thousand applications every year in fact later I can talk to you about here where you know we see how artists go wrong when it comes to presentation of their portfolios you know, but in terms of a gallery I think.

**** – (): 23:15.52

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yes, absolutely.

**** – (): 23:27.70

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yes, yes, let’s talk about that as well.

**** – (): 23:35.11

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): You know you should find a gallery that kind of truly understands your work and is focused on you know, ah promotion which is more than commercial because initially I think that’s really important for young emerging artists.

**** – (): 23:53.50

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): What do you mean by more than come I share.

**** – (): 23:54.60

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Um, yeah, so what happens is very often. What’ll happen is that are galleries that look at relationships that are short term so therefore they might even let you price higher. For example.

**** – (): 24:02.96

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): A.

**** – (): 24:09.86

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yes.

**** – (): 24:14.53

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): You know, but there’s certain things like pricing which is critical. Yeah, in fact, we we spend so much time telling our artists. How to price right? and you know pricing too High can be highly dangerous because once you price your work and you have.

**** – (): 24:19.89

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, absolutely.

**** – (): 24:34.40

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): ah you know ah 1 or 2 collectors buy it that is your benchmark you know. So I think you’re looking at a gallery that is not looking at a commercial you know completely. So there are you know a lot of galleries who look at long-term growth of artists and work with artists.

**** – (): 24:49.74

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yes.

**** – (): 24:52.89

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): So I think that is something that artists should look out for you know is look out for how a gallery kind of looks at long-term growth how they build relationships with their artists. Um, and um, you know I Think. It’s not just about showing an artist. It’s about looking at how they are represented in Residencies. You know how they are in shows outside a gallery show you know and I think to build a holistic kind of a program for an artist I think is really important.

**** – (): 25:16.97

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): More.

**** – (): 25:28.99

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): And therefore ah, it’s also important for artists to kind of look at galleries in that four format.

**** – (): 25:35.29

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, wonderful And what about your suggestions in looking and submitting at work.

**** – (): 25:39.86

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): I think that is ah 1 of the things that is really really important because even if you are approaching a gallery you must be aware that a gallery gets hundreds of portfolios you know and.

**** – (): 25:43.20

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, absolutely.

**** – (): 25:56.36

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Because it’s their job. They have a quick look at it. You know so I think rather than sending a hundred artworks you need to pick the ten twelve best works and that again you have to be very careful on what you select and maybe it’s good to kind of you know. Run it by 2 or 3 of your friends your peers you know and like pick the best ten twelve artworks write your story take help but ensure that you have an artist statement. You know a short biography that really tells.

**** – (): 26:28.16

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Absolutely.

**** – (): 26:34.54

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Gallery about you. You know apart from those un long biodatas which many of us don’t even read you know because what’s really interests. You is those ten twelve images that you send.

**** – (): 26:42.25

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Right.

**** – (): 26:48.52

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Right? right.

**** – (): 26:51.14

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): You know, either you are sold on that or you are not you know so I think when someone sends you a hundred images that include you know 7 8 which are not that nice. You might just see those 7 8 and might not see the rest which is good. Yeah, so I think be very crisp in your presentation.

**** – (): 27:01.91

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Rest of them. Yeah, what do you? Also recommend. Do you love are the in sit 2 or the install shorts or do you love? ah the detail shorts and just the artwork. What should people add to their portfolios.

**** – (): 27:18.70

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): I Think it’s also depends on your materiality. So if you’re using materials that don’t totally show in ah, a photograph that ensure you have an install short that shows the materiality of your brother. You know of your artwork.

**** – (): 27:19.77

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Right.

**** – (): 27:35.88

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): I think that’s really critical so it has to be looking at your artwork the best way it can be represented in that short 3 minutes that any you know person is going to look at your work. Yeah.

**** – (): 27:46.44

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Someone’s looking at your work. Yeah, what about you take on artist and you know, um, looking at their um their website how they’re putting themselves out there. Um, do you really do so but do you guide your artists in that context like bare minimum that you feel like. In today’s time an artist should be at least doing this have a website have an Instagram have a put together portfolio like what do you think are those checkpoints if we were to list.

**** – (): 28:13.00

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): I think it’s really important. In fact, we we have training sessions with our artists. We have a marketing strategy person who actually does Zoom calls to you know, kind of explain to artists how to photograph their work. You know.

**** – (): 28:18.70

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay.

**** – (): 28:24.39

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay. Um, okay.

**** – (): 28:31.22

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): How to kind of be present in social media. How to kind of comment. Um always and like if you’re working with a gallery or if you’re at a show how to tag people you know So I think these are very important aspects because. Ultimately, a part of a community you want to be heard. You want to be seen you know and you have to do those you know little things that make you visible and you know, um website is important for that next level. But I think the social.

**** – (): 28:50.56

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah.

**** – (): 28:55.25

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Right.

**** – (): 29:05.38

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): At this moment. The first level of connect is still social media or a show. Yeah, of course.

**** – (): 29:07.66

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): First. Thank you social media? Yeah, you made sure that you know? Yeah, what is also a lot of artists are this this mindset which is which is very I think subjective a lot of times people are scared that they feel like um. They haven’t shown their work enough. They don’t have somewhere to start off what what is your suggestion to them how how can people get that head start for them. Mr just looking out for um, taking that first step.

**** – (): 29:38.22

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): To show their work I think one is of course build I mean like you know getting to a gallery getting to a show takes time you know and therefore you know before you get there use social media you know and.

**** – (): 29:40.85

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah.

**** – (): 29:57.58

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): And take the trouble to make a great put Forlio you know take the trouble to photograph your works. You know? well you know take the trouble to kind of write write your purpose and your you know artist statement and pick you know galleries pick.

**** – (): 30:00.86

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yes, yeah yeah.

**** – (): 30:17.19

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Curators You know there’s a bunch of curators who are always looking for you know, fresh voices pick residencies. You know, be out there as much as you can.

**** – (): 30:23.66

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, right.

**** – (): 30:28.39

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): That’s true, amazing and okay, tell me what is your take on. Um, what is your take on how the art world in India specifically is in what do you think is. Exciting about where we are today because I think India is changing your law There’s so much there’s so much happening not only for people who are in India I think the art world in India has become a very is also becoming a very good global spot. The artists from India also are becoming a very critical spot.

**** – (): 31:03.10

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): I think um, it’s very exciting being part of the art world today in India you know, ah there was a time when people didn’t really care on what was on their walls. You know a poster some old you know, hand me down.

**** – (): 31:14.11

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah.

**** – (): 31:20.48

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): You know image you know didn’t really matter today with interior design architect you know, architects and interior designs ah designers doing advisory at least what’s become established is we need to have something on our walls. You know.

**** – (): 31:21.96

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, right.

**** – (): 31:37.49

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Frank.

**** – (): 31:40.27

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Now and that means the process has started so it is interesting to see the fact that nearly anyone is looking at something in their walls. They might start with Prince they might but. Slowly move towards Artwork. So I think there’s a huge new market emerging I think Also when it comes to young the young generation and which is why I love at Love working with emerging artists is they are fearless.

**** – (): 32:00.12

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, man. Yeah.

**** – (): 32:14.74

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Right.

**** – (): 32:16.74

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): You know they are so ah you know bold they kind of work with varied materials today. You see you know print with fabric and stitching you see artists using mud you see artists using cement you see artists using iron with.

**** – (): 32:34.95

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, that’s a huge materiality. It’s no longer painting. But also you know what’s unique I feel it so much about India also because we as a country are very tactile and we have such varied.

**** – (): 32:35.65

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): You know it’s a various different forms. Huge materialities becomes going. It’s so interesting.

**** – (): 32:52.99

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Materials and you’re also very grounded in the sense because you know there is a rural india there’s of course a new India so there is this extreme form where we have so many talented ai artists like who are playing with technology who are using Ai as a medium but they are also on the other extreme there are artists who are working with very very tactile like you know. Bamboos or like cops and like we have some both groupta like you know there’s like it’s such a good spectrum and there’s so many people who lie in between and like I love I use emmbroji as a very big part of and that has to come from my own influence because I grew up in a part of the world. Um, in Agra where you know embroidery was a huge influence indian architecture moal architecture and that reflects in the person I am the art I do the art I buy everything and I think since India’s so diverse that we all have such unique. Periodency that it translates into our work.

**** – (): 33:49.42

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): True you know and I think also over time we are very proud of where we come from. You know, initially so and you’re seeing that in the art. Yeah, you’re seeing that in. Yeah, you know you’re seeing artists make their own paper out of agriculture ways you see.

**** – (): 33:53.43

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Oh yeah, yeah, it wasn’t someone. Yeah.

**** – (): 34:08.83

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): You know you’re seeing artist take all Kantha fabric and stitch it together. So there’s just so much happening that it’s actually very yeah.

**** – (): 34:09.90

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, yeah, you know plastic there are there are clothes being made out of like I was seeing the video last night which was ah we was from India and this is I have it saved. Was this particular woman and she is the only person who takes these plastic waste and um I don’t know how short of a time she does and she weaves it into fabrics and there was something very unique about her story and it was so nice. How even the artisan level how that innovation. And you know that creativity is going there and I also feel like now India is also in the world is also recognizing how craft in itself like how it was treated in a very different manner versus how craft is such a big part of what the art world is.

**** – (): 34:59.17

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): True true today you see a lot.

**** – (): 35:02.47

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, okay last question tell me something about the innovation run that you have and the gallery and where’s the gallery. What’s exciting for you What you’re working or and and you want to share with us.

**** – (): 35:10.44

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): So I we have in fact, the most exciting time for us are inception grant finalist show opens in treveney on the second of March so.

**** – (): 35:17.00

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay. Amazing.

**** – (): 35:25.47

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Yeah, so that’s always exciting for us because you know through the year we have our gallery artists we work with them. But this is that 1 time that’s just completely fresh voices new work that we present you know and talk about them and that’s what’s going to happen so we have enjoying that.

**** – (): 35:36.22

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah.

**** – (): 35:43.70

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Amazing.

**** – (): 35:45.12

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Yeah, and in terms of the gallery I mean of course it’s we have a you know huge number of shows planned you know and but I think what we are like really really excited about is we are looking at collaborations in the next year one is of course collaborating with other. Galleries to try and bring this kind of a network where all of us focus only on one thing is you know it’s not about our artists and their artists. It’s about together how we kind of build a community and build a larger art market where more people enjoy and I feel anyone who buys that.

**** – (): 36:07.12

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah, but yeah.

**** – (): 36:24.74

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Ah, are happier people. You know so we won. Yes, yeah, so it’s just we want more people to buy out largely because they’re going to be happy and.

**** – (): 36:25.70

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, absolutely anyone who makes art and buys I think art in its way such a soulful connection.

**** – (): 36:40.77

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): That’s I think that’s such a good purpose.

**** – (): 36:43.47

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): And of course we’re looking at Also you know collaborations in areas like craftspeople with contemporary art. So we’re looking at and like a few new projects that we start you know and that’s exciting us.

**** – (): 36:50.48

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Amazing! Wonderful. That’s so nice and it was so nice talking to you guys? Okay, 1 last thing where people can find you support you where can people follow you and the galaxy can you let us know that.

**** – (): 37:08.46

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Okay, so in terms of follow us. We are art ineppt. You know a Rtincpd on Instagram as well as our websites the same ah you can find us in good gao we have office in. Tiny gallery space in south point malllin you know Golf Coast Road of Gorgao and that’s yeah I mean we are. You know we’d love to kind of get feedback. Um with love support and look forward to you know more people connecting with us.

**** – (): 37:29.80

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah.

**** – (): 37:37.27

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Amazing. That’s so nice I will make sure that I will link everything that guides we spoken about the gallery they may use the website of the gallery and some of the art works that we have already seen on the website. And make sure you do support them. Do follow them on Instagram and thank you so much and guys you for joining us any final words before we end this.

**** – (): 38:04.83

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): I think it’s my one thing is it’s I think we are all fortunate to be part of the art community and you know and it’s great that you know where I got this opportunity in terms of you know, starting art in Zep. So I look forward to interacting with everyone.

**** – (): 38:12.53

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah.

**** – (): 38:24.71

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): And stay true to your art.

**** – (): 38:24.90

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, amazing. Thank you so much and I hope to feel soon again, you have to wait.

**** – (): 38:30.33

**** – (): Gayatri

**** – (): Thanks so much bye.

About the Guest(s):

Gayatri Singh is the founder of Art Incept, an art gallery based in India. Despite not coming from an art background, Gayatri was exposed to art throughout her life as her mother was involved in the art business for 25 years. After working as a consultant and running an education business, Gayatri decided to pursue her passion for art and started Art Incept. The gallery focuses on giving a platform to emerging artists and showcasing their unique voices. Gayatri is dedicated to supporting artists from various communities and backgrounds, and she believes in the power of art to create a positive impact in society.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, host Charuka Arora interviews Gayatri Singh, the founder of Art Incept, an art gallery in India. Gayatri shares her journey of starting the gallery and her passion for supporting emerging artists. She discusses the importance of giving a platform to artists from diverse backgrounds and the challenges of balancing the financial aspects of the art business. Gayatri also talks about the impact of early experiences surrounded by art and nature, and how they shaped her as a gallerist. She highlights the need for more art education and appreciation in India and the evolving art market in the country. Gayatri provides valuable insights for artists looking to get gallery representation and emphasizes the importance of storytelling and connecting with the audience through social media. She also discusses the exciting projects and collaborations Art Incept is working on, including showcasing fresh voices through the Inception Grant Finalist Show.

Key Takeaways:

• Art Incept focuses on giving a platform to emerging artists from diverse backgrounds and communities in India.
• The art market in India is evolving, and there is a growing interest in art among young collectors.
• Artists should focus on storytelling and connecting with their audience through social media to attract gallery representation.
• Building relationships with galleries that prioritize long-term growth and holistic artist development is crucial for emerging artists.
• Art Incept is working on collaborations with other galleries and projects that bridge the gap between contemporary art and traditional crafts.

Notable Quotes:

• “Emerging art mirrors the problems and connections of the world today, and it offers a fresh perspective and unique voices.” – Gayatri Singh
• “The creativity was something that I was really in tune with when I was in the UK. I even set up an Indian art gallery for two years with an English interior designer.” – Gayatri Singh
• “Art is not just about investment or prestige. It is about connecting with the artist’s story and the expression behind their work.” – Gayatri Singh

Charuka Arora is the founder of the Arts to Hearts Project and Host of the Arts to Hearts Podcast. She is also an acclaimed Indian artist known for her contemporary embellished paintings. Her unique blend of gouache, collage, embroidery, painting, and drawing explores the intersection of art, culture, heritage, and womanhood. Through her work, she tells stories of female strength and encapsulates them in pieces that can be treasured for generations.

Charuka’s work draws inspiration from Hindu mythology, recognizing women as vessels of Shakti, the cosmic energy. She beautifully portrays powerful goddesses like Durga Maa riding a tiger or lion, symbolizing their unlimited power to protect virtue and combat evil.

Through her art, Charuka invites us into the world of women, showcasing their beauty, strength, and resilience. Her creations not only exhibit exceptional talent but also serve as an inspiration and a symbol of hope for those challenging societal norms.

Arts to Hearts Podcast is a show delving into the lives and passions of renowned artists. From running creative businesses and studio art practices to cultivating a successful mindset, Charuka Arora engages in heartfelt conversations with her guests. Experience your personal happy hour with your favorite artists, right in your studio.

Through candid discussions, Charuka and her guests reveal the joys and challenges of a vibrant creative life, both within and beyond our studios. Get ready to be inspired and uplifted as you tune in.

GAYATRI SINGH

Gayatri joined the art business after spending 20 years in the corporate world where she successfully started her own education company before working with organisations like Arthur Andersen and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She won the Tata Stree Shakti Award for Woman Entrepreneurship in 2008! 

While she walked into a ready art business, she wanted to do more. She felt the art market was limited to a few. The same works were seen in every house and every art fair! Young artists who were doing amazing work were getting little attention. In fact, many brilliant minds were being forced to leave their practice! 

Her passion is to empower tomorrow’s artists by creating a comprehensive ecosystem for new generation artists, collectors and patrons. She believes that this generation will put Indian art on the international map! Art Incept was created as a platform that mentors them, guides, supports and showcases emerging talent.