Woodprint making

Das explains that the programmes are planned with a purpose in mind. “It is about nurturing and giving artists as much information about possibilities in the future,” he says. To this end, the schedule is packed with talks, workshops and mentorship programmes in diverse disciplines such as sculpture, pottery, print-making, ceramics, visual art and even poetry. Das points to the talk by Yamini Dand Shah on Abstract Oralism as an example. Similarly, artists such as Riyas Komu, Priyanka Thayal, Dr Madhuri Kathe and Sultana Khan will be making presentations and interacting with young mentees.

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Participants interact at a previous edition of the festival

Dr Kanoria explains that the gallery’s objective is to encourage cross-pollination among artists. “For a young artist, this is an age of tremendous growth and learning. Unless they experiment and observe things, they might get stuck in the wrong medium.”

The events offer young artists an opportunity to listen to artist Prabhakar Kolte talk about Indian abstractionism, architects Prashant Prabhu and Anuj Daga speak on The Art of Spatial Representation among other topics. “Jean Blanchaert, a leading contemporary gallerist, curator and critic, will also deliver a talk about the international environment,” Das adds. For the curator, such mentorship is essential for growth. “A mentor who is willing to spend quality intellectual time can help young artists understand their practice in an organic way, and build a grammar to their artistic language,” the curator elaborates. 

Gourmoni Das and Dr Anurag Kanoria

He assures us that the experience will enrich the participants’ art. “They will be more engaged with their practices. When they do send new works from their studios, one can see how they are more inclusive of practices,” Das emphasises. The participating artists also stand a chance to win art residencies and scholarships. Seven of the artists will be picked by the gallery for scholarships and residencies to be announced on October 17. For the young artist, this is a chance to open their minds to the possibilities of the future.

Till: October 17; 10.30 am to 9.30 pm
At: Nine Fish Art Gallery, The New Great Eastern Mills, Dr Ambedkar Road, Byculla. 
Log on to: ninefish.in