Art as creativity, business and investment – tips from Gitanjali Maini, Director, Gallery G

In Part II of our photo essay on Gallery G’s 15th anniversary, we feature more of the creative works on display, as well as insights and messages from the gallery director Gitanjali Maini.

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 180 posts, we brought you a wide range of creative photographs from an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.

Bengaluru’s Gallery G celebrates its 15th anniversary this month with an exhibition titled, appropriately, ‘Fabulous 15,’ with art works from 15 artists. In Part I of this photo essay, we featured some of the exhibited and archived works of these artists; we showcase more of the art in Part II.

The lineup includes Bose Krishnamachari, Buwa Shete, Ganapati Hegde, Hansha Milan, Mohammed Osman, Nitin Nangar, Partha Shree, Poonam Agarwal, Pradip Das, Raghava KK, Raja Raghavan, Ramchandra Kharatmal, Suresh Gulage and Upendranath TR.

“We started out as a gallery and have grown over the last 15 years into much more. Today we not only show fabulous art, we also nurture artists through learning, education, mentoring and promotion,” said gallery director Gitanjali Maini in a chat with YourStory (see also my earlier photo-essay on Gallery G and founder interview). These services are a part of the Artist Initiative Programme (AIP).

Each week of March will have a new set of art works going up on the walls. “It’s most definitely not a static exhibition - there’s going to be a lot of movement and change, both in the gallery and for the visitor,” promises Gitanjali. Over the next five years, AIP hopes to raise the bar even more, and promote the sale of classic works as an investment opportunity.

The 15 featured artists have been mentored and supported by AIP over several years. “I have always believed in giving back to the artistic community in every way possible,” says Gitanjali. Supporting artists increases the creativity of society, and also leads to business benefits.

“Art is not just about beauty and appreciation. You have to work proactively with the community to preserve and help artists. Only then can you ensure their growth and thereby diversity and progress of the artistic community,” she explains.

“Buying a painting is not the only thing one must do. You have to find ways to nurture art - be it painting, literature, culture or any other genre - in order for it to flourish,” Gitanjali signs off.

Now what do you think you will do in 15 years to commemorate your journey and creative achievements?

Got a creative photograph to share? Email us at [email protected]!

See also the YourStory pocketbook ‘Proverbs and Quotes for Entrepreneurs: A World of Inspiration for Startups,’ accessible as apps for Apple and Android devices.