Kozhikode: The Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery here, an autonomous organisation under the Lalithakala Akademi, Thrissur, has become a lively platform for the artists to host their exhibitions.
The Kozhikode Art Gallery was established in 1985 to preserve and promote paintings, photographs, sculpture, architecture, graphics, culture and visual arts.
It was renovated in 2013 with advanced lighting facilities and five halls namely, A, B, C, D and E where five artists can host exhibitions at a time. The only other art gallery with such a facility is in Kochi.
“The art gallery conducts workshops in various parts of the country from where paintings are brought here, preserved for some time and sent out to the other galleries. In case the artists don’t host any exhibitions, the preserved paintings will be put on display. Some two paintings of each exhibition are sold out,” said K.C. Mahesh, gallery incharge.
The Lalithakala Akademi, Thrissur, provides annual grant to the artists who host the best solo exhibition in painting, photography and sculpture. Such artists prefer the Kozhikode art gallery as it is a crowd puller.
“The small C hall can be used by artists with less number of collections. The art gallery is also well- equipped with spotlight and high-quality arrangements,” said Muneer Agragami, an artist who recently hosted the Mazhavara exhibition.
The art gallery’s income has increased over the years. In 2013-14, it earned '1.54 lakh whereas in 2014-15, the income was Rs 1.81 lakh.
