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Indian art scene is vibrant and thriving

Sonal Singh, Specialist Head of Sale, Associate Director South Asian Modern & Contemporary Art Department Christie's talks about her career and Indian art scene

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Almost a decade ago, while working at The India Habitat Centre in New Delhi Sonal Singh was lucky to meet a lot of celebrated artists like Atul Dodiya, Subodh Gupta and Bharti Kher. "My introduction to Indian art was at an amazing level and I got very lucky. I got to interact with Peter Nagy and Gallery Nature Morte."

In 2004 she did her Masters in art in London and came back to India and joined Bodhi art gallery in New Delhi. "I was with them for two years and I was working with artists. In 2007 I joined Christie's. It was a very exciting time to join and for us and it is still an exciting time," say she with a twinkle in her eyes.

Early inclination towards the arts
"I did my undergrads in Delhi University in Sociology but I used to sing for the college. My undergrad was more in singing than Sociology. After college I knew I wanted to pursue the arts. I went to Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London. I did my foundation there. After that I did Modern and Contemporary art in Christie's education and that's where I was really introduced to the art market."

The arts in general excited her. "My mother was involved with arts. I used to get dragged to a lot of museums as a kid. I think it is a lot of what you absorb as a child. I wasn't very academically inclined and I never thought I could do anything typical. I needed some sort of a creative outlet. In a way it (Christie's) is a very lucky place to be because there is so much art. We don't deal with artists sadly but we still get to handle a lot of art."

She recalls her stint as a gallerina in the early phase of her career. "Each artist is inspiring in their own way. You get involved with them in the creative process from the beginning and then you see something coming to shape – you understand it so much better and it just automatically becomes dear to you. I got to sit with them and ask silly questions. Bhupen Khakhar is the only artist who I wish I was able to meet. He died in 2003. That's one regret I have. In a gallery, you sit with the artist and encourage them and also advise them what makes sense and what'll sell. You have to keep in mind your collectors without killing any sort of creative genius. By and large you let the artist do whatever they want. When they are true to themselves it is a better piece of art. Gallery has so many other aspects – exhibitions, openings, catalogues – it's a whole cycle."

Rewarding travel
"The most rewarding part is travelling within India – meeting clients. You go to Kolkata you see Bengal school, you go to Ahmedabad you see a different art – it is really a privilege position. Going to collectors' homes you are lucky to see so many things."

Christie's first auction in India
Christie's first auction in India last year totalled INR 96,59,37,500, doubling pre-sale expectations and selling 98 per cent by lot. For Sonal it is a dream place. "Last year around June July we announced our first auction in Indian and the response was unbelievable. I didn't sleep for about three months but it was such an amazing learning process. We set up our auction at another space and it wasn't in our own office and we were dealing with 400 to 500 people and our Dubai team came to set it up. We had 60 people from Christie's globally coming in. It was a huge production. You don't realise what it is to be a part of a team because here we are four people. But when you suddenly realise it's such a big team, it's an immense feeling of pride."

Hunt for the next sale
She shares her big plans. "We are planning our next sale in December. The hunt begins for finding works which means a lot of travel. You need to understand what the market wants and also look into the national treasures which are non-exportable. Last year we had Amrita Sher-Gil and Tagore - artists which are so much in demand and we can't find. We also want to be representative of different regions of India like Bengal, Baroda, Delhi. It's quite an ambitious plan."

3D art
"We have sold videos. It is a bit early for us but there is a lot of interest. If there's a work of high quality, there will be a collector. There's obviously a lot of thought, skill and effort which goes into it. We wait for the things to be around for a little while before taking them into auction. Canvas will be on the menu for much longer (laughs). Of course new forms of technology and art will come up. There is an appetite for everything," she says.

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