Did you know that the top two most expensive paintings in
the world by Indian artists are by Goan artists? These artists are V S Gaitonde
from Bicholim and F N Souza from Saligao. The most recent Saffronart Spring
Live Auction of South Asian Modern Art in Mumbai also set the price record for
V S Gaitonde at Rs 47.5 crore as the second highest price achieved by the
artist in auction worldwide as well as the second highest work of Indian art
sold globally.
At the 40th session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 2019,
April 15 was declared as World Art Day, a day to encourage everyone to join in
through various activities such as debates, conferences, workshops, cultural
events and presentations or exhibitions. In Goa, these activities are held
throughout the year and there is a healthy interaction between Goan, national
and international artists who visit the state.
Goa College of Art, Panjim, recently concluded its golden
jubilee celebrations of the college with a stunning exhibition by the students.
In 50 years of art education being inculcated in the state, it is still all up
to the artist on how they define themselves through their art. Principal of the
college of Art, Prof Wilfred Goes says, “There is a systematic process. In the
first year, the students are playing with their motor skills and mental skills
grasping the fundamentals, aesthetics and the different approach to art. By the
final year of the course, they are finding themselves and 90 percent of them
are realising their own identity with many showcasing their talent at the State
Art Exhibition. There is no single formula to follow but each of their own way
of self-discovering.”
Prof Wilfred also emphasises on the early education and
exposure to art for the students. “There is a big growth in the students as
they grow in the institute. There are interactions among peers and through the
conducive atmosphere that can be seen from the first year to the final year of
the student. They are also encouraged to participate in the Student category of
the State Art Exhibition which is open to students of all four years batches of
students. Our students have always won the competitions and it is a healthy
competition to see first year and fourth year students competing at the same
level,” he adds.
A group of 13 Masters in Fine Art students from the college
will be travelling with their lecturer Gopal Kudaskar and two officials from
Art and Culture department to work on a mural at Badrinath Temple, Dehradun,
Uttrakhand. This is the first time that a group of students from Goa will be
undertaking a project by the Central Ministry of Culture which has selected
artists from different states. The project has to be completed before April 28.
“V S Gaitonde and F N Souza are looked upon as greats by the
students. But they also realise that there is a long way to reach that mark and
when that realisation dawns upon them, they start working harder,” says Prof
Wilfred.
Norman Tagore is a renowned artist and illustrator who also
curates art exhibitions. He feels that art should not be limited to only the
art community of artists and buyers but every Goan can play an important role.
“I recently came across the story of the origins of Wipro and how Maharashtra’s
Amalner’s residents hold Rs 3000-crore worth shares of Wipro. In the 1970s,
Azim Premji’s father, Mohammad Hussain Premji, sold the stocks to the villagers
for a few Rupees which is now worth more than Rs 5 crore. The same can be
applied for art in Goa. If people start buying art, the demand will go up and
at a later stage, the same painting with be worth more than its price. Even if
it is a small amount it should be put into art. Tourism and mining are
considered the economic drivers of Goa but art can be the next industry. Goa
needs a Museum of Indian Modern Art and Contemporary Art. It should focus on
Goan artists and can be run by the government in partnership with private
companies. Art can be taken on loan from art collectors and the art community
will benefit from it too,” says Norman.
Daegal Godinho transformed his 250-year-old ancestral house
into a bustling art centre in the South of Goa. Carpe Diem in Majorda, has
different forms of art finding a new audience for its shows and enthusiastic
learners gaining knowledge of different mediums through the workshops. “All
upcoming artists are trying to find their identity in creativity and there is
an abundant of talented artists in Goa. There is no shortage of styles and
besides portraits and landscapes, there is more interest and demand for
abstract paintings from the clients, both Indian and foreigners who are coming
to Goa,” says Daegal.
He further adds, “Watercolours are a constant medium while
oil requires skill and practice. Acrylic is an easier medium to work with and
an artist can get more work done and sells too. Comparing between canvas and
paper, canvas is more preferred as it is earlier to travel with from India
compared to framing and taking a work on paper.”
There are many more reasons to celebrate art and artists in
Goa and World Art Day can be the apt time to visit an art gallery or an
opportunity to learn a new art.