Kala Ghoda pays tribute to traditional and contemporary artisans at a unique gallery and shop
Founded by Radhi Parekh and located at Kala Ghoda, the art heritage precinct of Mumbai, ARTISANS' Gallery showcases art, craft and design in an ever-changing exhibition space. What adds to the charm is that this 1000 sq. ft. space lies nestled within a beautifully restored mercantile building on Dr. V. B. Gandhi Marg. In a freewheeling conversation with the founder of ARTISANS', dna discovers what exactly makes the gallery stand apart from the others in South Mumbai.
ARTISANS' was started in September 2011 with the aim of showcasing craft and design to support the revival, growth and sustenance of arts and crafts, representing the spectrum from traditional to path-breaking design. It is the first gallery in Mumbai to explore the convergence of India's art craft and design.
The aim behind setting up the gallery was simple: to provide a market for artisans and designers to reach urban consumers, while providing opportunities for learning through a dialogue between us and the emerging artists, craftspeople and designers, with the hope of creating lasting value in a holistic framework.
Our visitors engage with the context of each work—the traditions, concepts, materials and processes behind it to appreciate the creative process through which ordinary materials are crafted into extraordinary things, ranging from the handmade to the digital.
A wide range of artisans have showcased at the gallery. Memorable shows include many firsts: Errol Pires, a fibre artist from NID; Khalid Khatri, a young Ajrakh artist; Mata-ni-Pachedi, which included painted shrine cloths; Jars by Mahendra Doshi; Mumbai, Nexus of the Gods showcasing post Ravi Varma 'calendar artists'.
We are proud to have been associated with sustainable livelihood projects such as WomenWeave and artisan educational institutions such as Somaiya Kala Vidya.
The designers that we had launched have gone ahead to achieve great success, including Anavila Mishra and Padmaja Krishnan, who have both shown their work at the Lakme Fashion Week 2014.
What is an ARTISANS' patron like?
ARTISANS' nurtures the rasik in the visitor, and we have, from the beginning, attracted aesthetes and connoisseurs who have an eye for the finest work. Our patrons range from museum curators and collectors, to curious young visitors and expats.
This November, look forward to 'An Artisanal Christmas', a unique opportunity to buy original gifts from across India.
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