Say ‘art’ and generally one tends to think of life-size canvases. However, Kalpana Shah of Tao Art Gallery cuts through this belief to successfully establish that art can be equally – if not more – effective when the size is small.
Aptly titled ‘Small is Beautiful’, the show comprises works by veteran and contemporary artists. None of the paintings are larger than 24”! Kalpana decided to curate this show after being inspired by a small but powerful work she saw at a museum.
The participating artists include veterans like Akbar Padamsee, Satish Gujral, K.G. Subramanyan and Lalitha Lajmi. Contemporary names include Arzan Khambhatta, known for sculptures from scrap metal; Brinda Miller; Jaideep Mehrotra who pioneered digital art in the country; Paresh Maity; Jaysri Burman; Ravi Mandlik; and Samir Mondal.
Asked for more details, Kalpana Shah says, “This collection also gives buyers an opportunity to purchase paintings by famous artists, without needing to empty their bank accounts! And they make a great alternative to the conventional gifts of gold or silver. But these small paintings, apart from their aesthetic value, are of the right size to make them convenient to carry and accommodate anywhere in the house, thus making it a great option for an art lover.”
Bottomline: Small in size and no dent in the pocket
Small Is Beautiful
Where: Tao Art Gallery, 165, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai
When: Till July 15