A colonial villa in the Government Guest House complex at Asramam in the city, which has been lying unused for more than 15 years, has been spruced up without losing its colonial charm to house the city’s first art gallery. Christened Eight-Point Art Cafe, the gallery will be inaugurated by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Friday morning.
The initiative came from a group of Kollam-based artists and it was readily supported by the District Tourism Promotion Council, which owned the villa. Artist Shenley, who heads the project, said the project was named so because the gallery is situated on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake, which has eight creeks. It also symbolised the eight forms of art and the eight-point brush painters largely use.
He said the launch of the gallery would be marked by a 20-day exhibition of 20 paintings by 20 senior painters. The works to be featured are those of K.K. Rajappan, K. Ragghunathan, Kovalam Sunil, Pradep Puthur, T.G. Jyothilal, K.V. Jyothilal, Nishanth, Sreelal, Satheeshan V., Krishna Janardhana, K.K. Suresh, Aji Adoor, R.B. Sajith, Guru Prasad, Smitha M. Babu, Mothi, Linu, Ajeesh Raj, Ajimon and one by noted sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman.
In the evening on Friday there will be a presentation by artist Bose Krishnamachari and later ghazal music by Umbai. Mr. Shenlay said that the art gallery would be funded by the DTPC. The project comprises a theatre, a cafe and a library focussing on books pertaining to fine arts and travel.
Exhibitions would be a permanent feature of the art gallery and budding artists would be given an opportunity to exhibit their works at the gallery subject to the decision of a screening committee.
Mr. Shenley said the gallery would also function as a kalakendram to promote all forms of fine art talents in the city. No fee would be levied for entry or participation. Periodic workshops and seminars pertaining to art would be another feature of the gallery.
