Artists across generations have communicated ideas, issues and emotions through poetry, music, paintings and other art forms. However, the life of an artist is often filled with struggle.
With an aim to provide a common platform to struggling artistes and take their art across to those who see value in it, Dr. Alexander Martin started the venture Talents on Display, along with Manpreet Singh Virk and Irene D’Souza on November 16, 2015.
The venture goes with the tagline, ‘Art for responsive participation of societies worldwide’. “Talents on Display endeavours to provide a platform to all struggling artistes of various art forms, especially visual, musical and culinary art, who are unable to arrive at a platform that can take their aesthetic talent to a larger audience worldwide,” says Dr. Martin. “We want to use art as a medium of communication, whereby we can communicate our culture and develop a foundation for a sustainable future for ourselves and our children.”
The right connects
Dr. Martin had an intense passion for music, drawing and painting right from childhood. Although he did his MBBS (1991-92) from St. John’s Medical College (Bengaluru) and M.D. in Psychological Medicine (1995-96) from Nair Hospital (Mumbai University) and has been practising in Navi Mumbai since 1996, he nurtured a deep desire to promote art.
“My mother is a musician and painter. So we were raised in an atmosphere that promoted art. I used to watch with fascination her drawings on nature and marveled at her creativity,” says Dr. Martin.
Dr. Martin was married into a family that too nurtured a deep passion for art. “My mother in law, Irene D’souza, although not an artist, loves art in all its forms. My wife, Shanta Martin too loves painting,” he says.
In 1998, Dr. Martin joined as a lecturer in psychiatry in MGM College, Kamothe where he taught MBBS students. He then moved onto D.Y. Patil Medical College as a Professor in 2012-14. At D Y Patil College, Dr. Martin met Dr. Manpreet Singh Virk, who too shared a passion for art.
However, what motivated him to think of this venture was when he met two aspiring young artists, Samadhan Bhandari (20) and Yogita Shelar (20), residents of Navi Mumbai, in 2014.
“I was greatly inspired by the beautiful paintings made by these artists. However, what disturbed me was that despite being talented, they were unable to reach out to people due to lack of awareness and a platform,” says Dr. Martin.
Art Vestibule and Art Gurukul
Apart from getting an opportunity to showcase talent, the artists get visibility on the website and sales assistance through the marketing efforts of Talents on Display. “Through this platform we try to widen the network of artists and the buyers of art,” says Dr. Virk. Since the brick-and-mortar facility is self owned, the seed requirement for starting the venture was miniscule. “We realised that we could safely fund ourselves and get the business started,” he says.
Talents on Display has two arms- ‘The Art Vestibule’ and ‘The Art Gurukul’ at Progressive Sea Lounge, Sector 15, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai. The Art Vestibule is an exhibition gallery while the Art Gurukul is an avenue for artists to impart training to art lovers, especially children. It also prepares youngsters who wish to pursue a career in fine art, applied art, architecture, interior designing, western and Indian music, says Dr. Martin.
The struggling artists also get an opportunity to earn and propagate their art from ‘The Art Gurukul’. Nearly 25 students are taking classes in various art forms. “The teachers are the artists working on a part-time basis and are paid 60% of the fees taken from the students,” informs Dr. Martin. There are five art teachers –2 for art and one each for guitar, violin, keyboards and Indian vocals respectively. In addition, there is a premise manager who works on a salary. There are four artists (one sculptor and three painters) registered with them, and their works are showcased on the website.
Talents on Display intends to hold regular exhibitions of struggling artists “atleast once a month,” for which it charges them ₹15,000 for a week, says Dr. Martin.
Sara Hussain from Kochi, whose exhibition is currently going on at the Art Gallery, says this is her first-ever in Mumbai. “It feels so nice to reach out to a larger crowd.” The exhibition has received wide acclaim and led to two projects, says Dr. Martin. “We are expecting a sale of at least 25% of the artist’s exhibits.”
Another painter from Odisha, Parmeswar Samal (27), whose exhibition is scheduled to be held in August, says, “This will be my first solo exhibition in Mumbai and I am really grateful that such a platform has been provided by Talents on Display for upcoming artists.” Mr. Samal hopes to spread awareness on deforestation through his art.
Future plan
Dr. Martin plans to look for partnership opportunities in Pune and Bengaluru besides the rest of India, once the business is consolidated in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. “We will be constantly building upon our artist resource, which will be the source of our core capability,” says Dr. Virk.
For artists like Mr. Bhandari, the venture offers opportunities for displaying their art to a wider audience. “There is a lack of awareness about art among people, who perceive that art is for the elite and beyond their means. There are several struggling artists who are indeed very good in their work and are desirous of recognition but do not know how to go about it. Talents on Display has provided a platform to all such artists to showcase their
talent to a larger audience,” he says.
To Dr. Martin, though, the purpose is larger. “If there is equity at the heart of a business, it will garner respect over time, and this will sustain it and give it longevity. All businesses are meant to be for a social cause, and every social cause is a business opportunity.”
Founders: Dr. Alexander Martin; Dr. Manpreet SinghVirk and Mrs Irene D’Souza
Funding: Bootstrapped
Website: www. talentsondisplay.com ; facebook: www.fb.com/talentsondisplay
Contact: 022-49711777/ 9820123848
