How to open up your world to art—as told by 8 leading gallerists

'Who run the world? Girls'. This iconic line from a Beyonce track is as true just for the world as it is for the Indian art space, which has witnessed a host of women revolutionise the space with their charisma and passion.  

Bazaar India, speaks to eight of these visionaries who have made a name for themselves.

Ranjana Steinruecke—Director, Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke

“My very first concrete memory is of the art in my mother’s home in Mumbai. Interestingly, even though I lived in New York then—a Mecca for art—I only really got close to it when it was up on the walls at home. In 2006, my mother and I started the gallery; an impulse that came from her abiding interest in art... Prior to that, she had an art consultancy in Mumbai, and I ran a space in Berlin. The best advice I have received has been to do what I love, and I always abide by that. I am drawn to strong, figurative paintings, and am surrounded by works by Sosa Joseph, Ratheesh T, Abir Karmakar, and Vinod Balak, among others. When it comes to buying an artwork, I’d urge enthusiasts to explore so they find what they enjoy looking at and would revisit; a work they would not easily tire of. It’s also important to have a sense of what the work is about and whether you are inspired to articulate your own response to it...it’s a journey.”

Outfit in the picture: Manipulated Collar Two Piece Suit with Flared Trousers, ₹90,000, all Sarah and Sandeep. Chunky Chain Hoops, ₹12,875, Misho. Shoes, Ranjana’s own.

Bhavna Kakar—Director  & Founder, LATITUDE 28

“Art is not like any other usual commodity, like a house or jewellery. If you’re looking for a fixed rate of return, it’s better to stick to traditional routes. Instead, buy what you love so that you can live with the art despite the fluctuations of the market; it is still an asset and valuable. 

My favourite artist is Nasreen Mohamedi, whose work speaks about the boundaries that dictate the lives of people, especially women. My other favourites include Anselm Kiefer and JeanMichel Basquiat.

Two of the most exciting young artists you can look out for are Yogesh Ramkrishna and Ketaki Sarpotdar. Ramkrishna’s art makes the mundane meet the extraordinary, and he will soon be displaying his NFT works. Sarpotdar, meanwhile, is inspired by fables from around the world. “The best business advice I have received is to stay ahead of the curve. At LATITUDE 28, we encourage artists to shape their local identities around the global contemporary art scene... It is a personal mission for me to nurture and promote new and upcoming talent."

Outfit in the picture: Entire look, Bhavna’s own.

Anahita Taneja, Shefali Somani—Directors, Shrine Empire, New Delhi

“When we first launched our gallery in December 2008, the art field was just beginning to get more organised. Today, there is a far more robust contemporary art scene and a growing interest in South Asian art, internationally. Indian collectors are becoming more experimental and are willing to look at more conceptual works in varied mediums. 

For anyone looking to invest in contemporary art, we recommend you do your research, visit galleries and museums, and start defining your own taste. The artist’s exhibition history and the credibility of the gallery also add to the value of an artwork. If you are looking to invest in an established artist, follow auctions and see how the artist has fared over the years. 

Among younger artists, keep a lookout for Sangita Maity, Divya Singh, Awdhesh Tamrakar, Biraaj Dodiya, Arshi Ahmadzai, Priyanka D Souza, and BR Shailesh... each of them has a distinct, wonderful expression that deserves attention. “Some of our favourite artists outside our roster include Zarina Hashmi for her evocative minimalism centering around the themes of exile and home and Nilima Sheikh for her focus on displacement, longing, historical lineage, tradition, communal violence, and the ideas of femininity.”

Outfits in the picture: Entire looks, Anahita and Shefali’s own.

Hena Kapadia—Founder, TARQ, Mumbai

“I founded TARQ when I was 25, in 2014, with the intention of encouraging collectors to engage with art in a more thoughtful and inquisitive manner. TARQ means debate, dialogue, and discussion in Sanskrit and this sounded perfect to me because I wanted my gallery to be an approachable place where people could participate in meaningful conversations about art. 

I think galleries are working harder than ever to make their programmes more accessible. It’s amazing to see the amount of events, publications, and conversations that the commercial art world is generating, in an attempt to increase the general publics’ understanding.

I think all the young artists we work with are exciting, which is why we work with them. And our current show with Sarah Naqvi is certainly one of the most rewarding shows I have worked on. Honestly, the best advice I have received is to do what you love, and the success will follow. I’d say the same to anyone else.”

Outfit in the picture: Jacket ₹24,800, and Trousers, ₹16,500, both, Payal Khandwala. Shoes, Hena’s own.

Mandira Lamba & Ridhi Bhalla—Founders, Blueprint 12, New Delhi

“We founded Blueprint12 in 2012 to provide visibility to emerging artists from the South Asian region who are practicing experimental art forms. And so, very consciously, we represent an equal balance of men/women/other artists in our gallery roster. Over the years, we have witnessed the emergence of safe spaces available to marginalised communities to represent their identities. Keeping in mind their journey, global participation, and acquisitions, some of the most important perspectives have come from the likes of Youdhisthir Maharjan (a Nepalese diaspora artist), Vipeksha Gupta (from India), Arshi Irshad Ahmadzai (an Indo-Afghan diaspora artist), Mahabubur Rahman (from Bangladesh), and Kingsley Gunatillake (from Sri Lanka). 

It’s important to let art challenge you, make you think, and help you understand concepts that you may not otherwise notice or interpret. For those who are interested in the works of younger artists, some who have recently been acquired by important collectors and are seeing a constant surge in demand include Indu Antony, Meghana Gavireddygari, Mansha Chattwal, and Kaimurai. 

However, don’t blindly follows trends. Instead, invest the time to understand your own taste...keep educating yourself by reading and researching about artists that interest you.”

Outfits in the photo: Entire looks, Ridhi and Mandira’s own.

Sunaina Anand—Director, Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi

“My earliest memory of an artwork is a small sketch by Jogen Chowdhury that I got from him on my first visit to Santiniketan in 2001. I was fairly new to the art world and had gone to meet Jogen Da for the first time...that piece is very special to me. While investing in masters is always a good idea, I would say it is a good time to invest in mid-career contemporaries who have evolved in their practice and developed specific styles, like Paresh Maity and Chandra Bhattacharjee...they will be the masters of tomorrow.

I think right now, the most exciting artists to watch out for are Anil Thambai, Meghna Singh Patpatia, and Vipul Rathod. However, before buying any art, my advice is to visit as many exhibitions as possible, engage with the artwork, read about the artist, and pick up a piece that you truly feel connected to. Art is not just an investment, it’s a part of your experiences; something that you constantly engage with everyday. Among the masters, SH Raza and Sakti Burman are a couple of my favourites, and I have a long list of favourite contemporaries. 

Since the time I founded my gallery in the early 2000s, the Indian art industry has become more vibrant and with various art fairs and art weeks. Art has become more accessible to the audience, and there is scope for massive growth in the industry...it is an exciting time for art in India.’’

Outfit in the photo: Dress, Bodice. Shoes, Sunaina’s own.

Hair and Make-up: Pallavi Devika and Ankita Varkhade. Aesha’s Assistant: Saiee Nalawade. Hair and Make-up Assistant (for Ankita): Sheetal Keshri.