Vincent Van Gogh once famously said, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” Art Houz’ unique curated art show, the brainchild of Aditi Ghildiyal, Small is Beautiful echoes the same as 28 artists from different genres come together with small format works, to beat the lull in the art world post demonetisation.
The show comes at an ideal time, with the markets dwindling, especially the artsy ones, the focus is on smaller things that are more affordable and easy on the pocket.
It is an added incentive for newer art collectors as the prices range from as less as Rs 3,000, and it offers art lovers a rare peak into so many artists under one showing. Some of the most profound and influential works in history were small — Salvador Dali’s The Persistence of Memory for example, measures only 9 inches by 12 inches and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, regarded as the most famed works of art in the world measures just 20 inches by 30 inches.
Another beautiful example is the very intricate and delicate Indian miniature paintings designed to be held by hand, either as illustrations in a book or as loose-leaf pages in an album.
This show is an amalgamation of various mediums and styles with no particular subject, aside from the artwork of a smaller nature. The viewer gets to see an eclectic array of artworks from paintings, drawings, illustrations, sculptures, photography, digital print, etchings, woodcut and installation.
Some of the most interesting works are by the seasoned Praveen Kumar with his strong lines, Jasu Rawal’s cute narratives, Vivek Mathew’s incredible photographic journey and Romi Revola’s stellar small but creative sculptures. It is an eclectic mix of the conceptual and the contemporary.
Speaking of the show, curator Aditi Ghildiyal says, “The whole concept originated due to the fact that I wanted the masses that attend the show to find art which is affordable. I approached many senior artists as well as younger ones, and they also supported the idea.”
The show is a reprieve for art collectors and art lovers who have been taking a backseat post the demonetisation. The show’s concept is also something that might endear itself to the masses. An ideal time to collect art during Christmas, for yourself or just as gifts. Small is definitely beautiful, here.
— The show is on till December 31 at Art Houz. The writer is an art
curator and art expert.
