Arty youngsters’ brush with profit

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The image of the struggling young artist is in for some change. Now youngsters are taking their passion for art professionally and wooing and winning buyers with their out-of-the-box ideas and new-age mediums. Art is no more just a creative passion, it’s also a profitable enterprise.

During the inauguration of an art exhibition recently, lyricist Javed Akhtar said that he gets invited to exhibitions where young artists are showcasing their talent. “There is a kind of resurgence in society which is very good,” he said.
For the mushrooming young, talented, arty brigade, veteran artist Sudip Roy credits the changing art scene in India. He narrated how years back his family wasn’t happy with his choice of art as a profession. “But today, I have allowed my son to take up art as a full-time career,” says Roy. Sudip’s 20-year-old son, Sumit Roy loves to work with the new media like digital prints and photography. “I am so glad that there are takers for our kind of work,” he says.
For some young artists, it’s about taking their passion to another level. “The best part about the works of new artists is that they don’t want to follow any set rules. We don’t confine ourselves to a style or medium,” says Delhi-based artist Prabalha Deb, 28.
So, distorted faces, musical instruments with uneven edges and characters lost and lonely dominate the canvas of artist Aditya Vikram Sengupta. “To me, being able to express yourself on canvas is the most liberating experience and I am glad that people are appreciating what I do,” says the 27-year-old artist, who recently exhibited his works at the Gallery Art Positive.
“Compared to yesteryears, the period of struggle is quite less because of the opportunities available and also because this career option is becoming more and more commercial,” says Sudip.
“I love out-of-the-ordinary pieces with the usage of audio-visual effects. I am in fact doing these on order too,” says Deb.
Also, the works of newbies suit the pockets of a wide range of art lovers and investors. Thus, artist Ankur Rana, 32, is busy exhibiting his work with various galleries across the country. According to him, “affordable art” is what the works of the young artists stand for. “Everyone can’t afford the works of big artists like Husain. My works are priced between `50,000 to `5 lakh and many galleries are happily showcasing such buyable pieces,” he says.