Art knows no boundaries for creativity in Goa

April 15 is celebrated as World Art Day, a celebration to promote the development of art. Artists in Goa have their own identity and though it might take years for them to develop a niche market, they make for the finest artists in the country. With artists like V S Gaitonde and F N Souza to look up to, there is still a need for more motivation for upcoming artists
Art knows no boundaries for creativity in Goa
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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.

Herald Goa
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