BENGALURU: Forty-five artists from across the country showcased their work at India Arts & Gems Fair (IAGF) 2015.
Art by J M S Mani, Bhaskar Rao, Amit Bahr, Chandranath Acharya, Ravindra Salve among many others were up for viewing and sale at The Leela Palace.
Mani’s painting explored the rural beauty of the Badami village with its bright colours while Vimalnath’s paintings depicted women and their intrinsic beauty in multimedia. Meena Das Narayan’s painting explored the theme Woman and a Mask, showing how women are completely content when they are themselves but are forced to don masks to fit into the society.
The event was curated by Meena Das Narayan, an artist, filmmaker, publisher and writer. “The theme was Art for Art’s sake. We included gems mainly to show the close relation between art and the creation of beautiful jewellery,” she said.
Participating jewellers included C Krishniah Chetty and Sons, and Entice and K Jewellers, who displayed pieces with stories woven around them.
During the three days, IAGF welcomed genuine art lovers and collectors without any commercial pressure. “Next year we plan to have 100 artists from India and abroad,” said Meena.
The event was inaugurated on December 25 by Dr Radhakrishnan, former chairman of ISRO and Malavika Avinash, actress, danseuse, and lawyer. Prominent visitors included dancer Madhulita Mohapatra, Sarita Mishra and Usha Venkatesh, who directs dance dramas.
The Leela Palace Bangalore, Chitrakala Parisath and K Krishniah Chetty and Sons were partners. Part proceeds from painting sales will go to Christel House which funds underprivileged children.