"I have no big names here, only new artists,” says Rukshaan Krishna (née Faramarzi) of her 1,000 sq ft new gallery, Rukshaan Art, which opened on May 9, 2017 near Lion Gate. "I want to let people come in and observe art for its own sake… every gallery wants to do something different… mine will provide an outlet for those artists who have long creative processes,” the gallerist informs Parsiana when we dropped in on July 6. Twenty-two artists who have worked in different mediums are on show: cotton and paper pulp figurines, a feline in black marble, traditional barnis (glass jars used for storage) decorated with Christian icons with a dash of gold leaf, oil paintings of traditional Rajasthani people with funky sunglasses, decorative pieces shaped like toffees, flatware in ceramic, gas-fired stoneware… The center piece and the largest item on display is a painting by an artist from Kapadwanj in Gujarat depicting the skyline of his home town.
Bombay based Krishna encourages new entrants in the art world to experiment with their various mediums at her studio (Rukshaan Artists’ Studio) in Nizampura, Baroda. "We have a print making machine, and an art library there,” she informs. Artists can reside there "as long as they want… it is a long process…only after they perfect their work do they leave… I never ask anyone to go. The 10-year-old facility does not retail any art. "It is only a space to create,” laughs the affable Krishna. And how does she choose her artists? we enquire. "They don’t come to me, I go to them… I spend time with them… I help ensure that the work reflects the artist’s character… if not, it rings false. "Her annual event, The Baroda March, showcases the works of artists who have worked out of and resided at her studio. The 10th edition of the event was held in February this year at the India Art Fair in New Delhi. In earlier years, artists from Krishna’s studio have participated in events in Singapore and Istanbul, besides New Delhi.
Exhibits at Rukshaan Krishna’s (inset) art gallery Photos: Jasmine D. Driver
"When I was in the advertising world, I could admire art, but was not part of it,” Krishna says of her nearly 18-year stint as the head of public relations for a German pharmaceutical company. Having previously run a niche art gallery in South Bombay, when she was ready to go full time into being a promoter of contemporary art, "only my husband Anand believed in me,” she states. Anand smiles benignly from his desk in a discreet corner of the gallery. "He is a better Zoroastrian than so many people I know,” smiles Rukshaan. "I don’t know what it means to be a ‘practicing Zoroastrian,’… I don’t visit fire temples… but aren’t we all supposed to practice good thoughts, words and deeds… which I do,” she volleys, in response to Parsiana’s questions, and wonders how parents Perin and Parvez would react to her retort.
Before rushing to a meeting with daughter Sana who helps out with "publicity and creatives, and locating artists,” Rukshaan provides details of her next show which will commence mid-September. Called "Touch beyond the surface,” it will feature five artists who will display about 25 pieces of sculpture, mixed media and paintings.