If you’re going abroad this year and you come across artists like Laxman Aelay, Fawad Tamkanat, Manohar Chiluveru, Jagadish Chinthala, to name a few, don’t be surprised. Because artists going abroad for international shows is not a new thing But what makes these shows this important is the larger question. Laxman Aelay, who has artshows abroad every three months, recently returned from a week-long group art exhibition in Penang, Malaysia. “For this art show, I created two artworks in which contemporary and folk art are showcased,” says the artist. Laxman exhibited along with other artists from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Malaysia. “International shows give you a better audience reach,”he says.
But is it all about the exposure one gets? Artist Fawad Tamkanat is quite honest, “When we are part of international shows, especially solo shows there is a higher monetary benefit. Most of my major solo shows have all been held abroad.” Fawad has been going abroad with his shows since the past 25 years. His upcoming show at the Miami Art Fair will be his 50th. “Europe and the Middle East don’t have a tax on art sales. That is such a boon, why wouldn’t anyone want to display their work abroad then?” asks Fawad who will display 20 artworks based on street life.
Towards October, artist Jagadish Chinthala will be in Michigan, USA, for a solo show, where he will exhibit 13 artworks, “One needs to go beyond his country and showcase his art. It is only then that you can expand your thought process. That is why international shows are important,” he says. “Yes, the money is much more than what we get here; but knowing that your artwork is part of someone’s home in a far away country is satisfying,” he adds.
Artists feel that it is also a pleasure working with art consultants and curators abroad, “They are very professional and helpful abroad. They take care of everything the artist just has to show up,” says Fawad. So, how does one get invited to these shows? “When you’ve created an image for yourself, curators from across the world will get in touch with you,” says Laxman. But what about artists who are relatively young?
Fawad explains, “There are three kinds of shows, a curated show, an individual project and an art fair. For a curated show, curators check your work and approach you. They come through art professionals, who suggest your work, unlike here where sometimes a politician suggests your work,” says Fawad, laughing. “However, at an art fair, if you’re not invited, you can always send your portfolio and depending on your work, they select you. For individual shows too, an art consultant gets in touch with you,” he adds.
HERITAGE OF THEATRE
The city witnessed a performance of Kudiyattam, one of the oldest art forms from Kerala pertaining to Sanskrit theatre, which has been declared as one of the select few “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by Unesco.
The 80-minute performance that was staged at the University of Hyderabad was about the dialogue between Ravana and his gardener Sankukarna, who is frightened after seeing the Ashoka garden destroyed by Lord Hanuman. The 2,000-year-old art form uses minimal text and follows the aesthetics of Natya Shastra for the method of acting.
Being a sacred art form that was only performed in temples, it is now endangered due to the effects of globalisation. Rajanesh one of the actors says, “We manage to keep it alive by only practising Kudiyattam and performing only old mythological stories. We also train students for 15 years in the traditional style. We improvise and add our own style on stage depending on the situation and the audience’s response.”
