Art has various definitions. One may call it expression of human ideas or communication of emotions.
Howsoever it may be defined, art and artists need to interact with the society for ideas to spread and traverse boundaries.
In keeping with this, Arts For All (A4A) has been providing a platform for young, upcoming and struggling artists from across the country by way of their residency programmes, workshops and public events.
Founded by Archana Sapra, a Delhi-based architect-cum-curator, and Puja Bahri, an artist herself, A4A recently held its residency programme in the Sanskriti Kendra, Anandagram. The artists at the residency were selected by an advisory committee of senior artists and critics and projected various art forms from figurines to abstract.
With all expenses paid, they got to spend time away from routine affairs and display their work while getting to learn from their contemporaries and mentors. Besides this, the vibrant curator-artist duo invited art lovers and collectors to the program. As a custom, the artists gift one of their works to A4A after the event.
Lokesh B. H. from Bangalore displayed his figurines at the recently concluded residency programme. Other artists who joined him from Punjab and Odisha were Ankush Safaya and Sikan Pandya.
“We are very happy and thankful to A4A for giving us this opportunity to be here and immerse ourselves in our imagination. We also get great response here,” said Ankush.
“As a curator and artist, we came across so many artists who were so talented but had no resources to promote themselves. I felt compelled to do something about it. That is when A4A came about,” said Ms. Sapra, who has curated many national and international projects.
Ms. Bahri, a qualified painter and sculptor, once gave space in her own studio to two artists and that inspired her to assist many more young minds. “I was so moved to see how those artists bloomed with a little assistance. That is how A4A happened,” she said.
That is not all. As part of their service towards the society, A4A also focusses on developing aesthetic sensitivity in children. It brings together children from public and private schools as well as ‘bastis’ at camps where children share their random ideas through art.
A4A is also working on a sculptor park and is in talks with the DDA. “We need to promote art. Imagine having a sculptor park in Delhi. We want this idea to happen,” said Ms. Sapra.
