Sad Demise of an Art Stalwart…Tyeb Mehta

A painter, sculptor, filmmaker – multi-talented artist:Tyeb Mehta’s love for his trade made him one of the most revered figures in the field of modern Indian art.
In the year 2002, when one of his paintings’ ‘Celebration’ was sold for a record price of USD 317,500, which brought him into limelight.

With this Mehta gave the world, the only Indian painting to be ever sold in a public auction. But there was more extol coming Mehta’s way as just a few years later when his painting ‘Mahishasura’ that showed Durga locked in an embrace with Mahisha sold for a whooping $1.584 million. It was the first time a modern Indian painting had crossed the million-dollar mark.

Besides these, in May 2005 his painting “Kali“ sold for 10 million Indian rupees at an Indian auction house – Saffronart`s online auction. In December 2005, Mehta`s painting `Gesture` was sold for 31 million Indian rupees to Ranjit Malkani, chairman of Kuomi Travel, at the Osian`s auction.
Neokala Gallery condoles his death, feeling a void in the Art arena of India. May his soul rest peacefully.

View Between The Trees…

Dear All,

The exhibition of original art paintings by artists from different parts of India, organized by neokala.com at Bangalore has got a great response and media coverage. We are overwhelmed by the response and decided to extend the exhibition for two days, but at another venue because of non-availability of the current venue further.

Hence the exhibition titled “View Between The Trees” is now available for view to all at the following venue on 26th and 27th June.

Dr Ghatage Convention Center,

Before HAL Police Station, Marathalli Road, Bangalore.

Enjoy the show.

Team Neokala.

Exhibition Underway..

Dear All Readers,

This is to inform one and all that the exhibition as announced earlier is under-way at Chitrakala Parishad Bangalore.

Last day of the exhibition is 24th May

Thanks
Neokala Team

Upcoming Exhibition

This is to inform any and all visitors / artists/ art lovers/ architects / interior designers, that neokala.com is organizing an ART show at Chitrakala Parishad Bangalore on the following dates…

Inauguration and Show begins on 21st May 2009 at 11:30 AM

Show will continue till 24th May 2009 in the evening 7:30PM.

Details will follow shortly.

Please visit and enjoy the show Titled “View Between the Trees”

Thanks

Neokala Team

International Residency Program

 

Dear Artist friends,

This is your chance to go International! Here is an Artist Residency Program .

Please remember that it is responsibility of artists to verify the bonafide of all these organizers.

Are you an artist or a professional cultural practitioner in the visual, performing or the applied arts?

Are you keen to broaden your horizon or develop your practice further?

Are you looking for inspiration, to share perspectives and encounter a new public?

If the answer to any of the above is ‘yes’…

you might wish to apply for a residency in Switzerland in the year 2010 / 2011.

Pro Helvetia – Swiss Arts Cuncil will give preference to projects that demonstrate the possibility of generating follow-up projects and of having an international impact.

The last date for submission of application forms for the year 2010/ 2011 to Pro Helvetia New Delhi is 31 January 2009.

To access the application form click on: http://www.prohelvetia.in/fileadmin/pro_helvetia_india/docs/Forms/a…

To view a list of artists who have already been on the residency visit: http://www.prohelvetia.in/index.php?id=241

For any queries write to – newdelhi@prohelvetia.in

New Artists at NeoKala.com

Dear Art Lovers,

This is to let you know that few more reputed artists are now part of the the NeoKala art fraternity. We are pleased to tell that we have artists not only from India but also from outside India.

These are the artists.

• Nuwan Nalaka [An SriLankan Artist]
• Prokash Karmakar
• Shyamal Duttaroy
• Parthapratim Deb
• Washim R. Kapoor
• Pratibha Singh
• Rashi Gupta

Thanks,
NeoKala Team.

The Surrealist – Sajidul Islam

The “Artist of the Month” feature is truly an exhilarating experience for any artist. Our focus for the month of October 2008 is “Sajidul Islam”, an artist from the picturesque locales of the Diamond Harbor, a suburb in the Ganges. Diamond Harbor has given him a lot; it has nourished his frivolity, eccentricity, endured his intellectual devotion and madness. Saji and his friends had found their favorite hangout, their ‘adda’. It is here that they would discuss topics ranging from sociology, genesis, biobang, relationships, sex, postcolorism, literature, grand narrative, Marks, quantum mechanics, down to their personal angst and crisis. His friends would continuously invade him with questions, sometimes answering them, but most of the while the questions and answers would be concocted to a perfect confusion. Mocking at them and leaving them in virtual nothingness.

This nothingness found inroads on his canvas eventually. In his quest for alternatives, when Saji would lose orientation, suddenly he would see something hazy coming up, shaping, from a surreal world, disguised to us. And here in lies the importance of the beholder. Saji says as a beholder you watch it, independently, think in your own right, discuss in your own way. Thus the creation gets rid of its creator and touches the universal chord!

Critic Comments:

“I have gone through your recent works. Those are mind-blowing, amazing, sensational and marvelous work. Among those works, Down memory lane, Claustrophobia, Phantasmagoria, Diffusion, Life in necropolis, Legacy of civilization, Roots, Agitation, and Metamorphosis attracted me a lot for the innovative composition and imagination.
Vincent van Gogh said: ‘I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say he feels deeply, he feels tenderly’. Your art is touchy and helps me to feel about the surroundings.
Salvador Dali quoted : ‘People love mystery, and that is why they love my paintings’. This mystery loved by mankind is present in your work. I wish your success at every walk of your life and I believe that in near future you will be a renowned artist.”
–Dr.Prasanta K. Bag, Calcutta

Saji’s works, some of them are as large as 160×200 inches (13ftx17ft)! They have also been highly appreciated by his professors, art critics and notable amongst them is an international figure, a noble laureate
Mr. D.Harbor (a german scientist ).

Art at the Click of the Mouse

Let’s go online. That seems to be the mantra for art galleries staging shows. Based on feedback, online exhibits are growing by 20-30% every year. As a result, the volume of sales and buyers’ inquiries have seen a quantum jump of between 400% and 500%.

“Today, Indians spread across the US, UK, Hongkong, Singapore and Dubai among other places are active buyers of Indian art. They also carry out a lot of research on th web and look for works. The important thing is that people from all over the world can have access to these shows. This accessibility is not possible in an physical gallery show. It gets restricted to the city where the show is being held.” a source said.

According to the source, online shows have essentially gathered steam over the past 2-3 years. This is because Indians have become increasingly aware of the contemporary art scene. Besides, the country’s diaspora abroad has turned wealthy.

“The online format also pushes up sales numbers and buyers’ inquiries by 400-500%.The big ticket sales transpire in international hubs like New York as underscored by the September auctions every year by Christie’s and Sotheby’s. Galleries can reach out to these centers by going online.”. The source said.

Welcome

Dear All,

Welcome to the first blog of Neokala ART Gallery.

Neokala.com is an online ART portal showcasing various art forms in paintings and sculptures.

Here we will be discussing about art and its usage in every day life. We will also be publishing the articles on ART, paintings to be specific.

So visit more and comment more.

Happy blogging with neokala.