Lack of equipment for art galleries affecting work in Bangalore

The lack of a restoration lab in Bangalore has affected conservation of art works in several galleries, according to experts. “The city has a plenty of art galleries, but is yet to get a restoration lab to begin conservation and restoration work, earnestly. The National Gallery of Modern Art does have a restoration room, but not a restoration artist,” said Shobha Nambisan, director of National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) on Saturday while speaking at an event organised to celebrate World
Heritage Day.

“We need to put much more money in our budget. The Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat has some infrastructure, but more money and space is required,” she said.

“Lack of trained specialists, money, equipment, continues to plague projects,” said Nilabh Sinha, principal director of INTACH’s material heritage division conservation. Often, restoration artists in India have to fashion indigenous versions of sophisticated equipment that their counterparts abroad have access to, he said.

“For instance, a heating iron that costs about Rs90,000 abroad had to be devised as an alternative for Rs12,000. As a vacuum pump that comes with a price tag of Rs15 to Rs20 lakh was unaffordable, a cleaner was used,” he said.

“The overall scenario is slowly changing. A movement has begun in the country. With awareness, it will gain momentum in 15-20 years. However, INTACH continues to have a tough time as it has to fight government bodies and overcome many hurdles,” he said.

“Bangalore lacks understanding of buildings as worthy of conservation, which is seen as a burden. Instead, it should be seen as an opportunity,” said Naresh Narasimhan of Venkataraman Associates.