Staright Answers

Asha Rao, Partner, Kahawa. On promoting upcoming artists from Chitrakala Parishat at their gallery starting December 10.
How did the idea for this project come about?
Kahawa is an offshoot of the Arts and Crafts Trust of which Nishi Rehman and I are a part. We have worked with young graduate artists and even helped them with sponsorships. And because of that we know the problems they face once they graduate.These students are at a complete loss because they don''t know whom to meet, how to market their work or display their art.
What role will you play in changing that?
Often people think ''unknown boy, so what if he''s brilliant?'' Our role is to talk to the students, groom them. Unfortunately, the fact that they''re from a premier institute should give them a platform but it hasn''t. I was in touch with the final year art students of Chitrakala Parishat and I have selected 12 to 13 of them whom I feel are the best.
How would these students compare with bigger, more established artistes?
They''re brilliant. One of them is a fantastic sculptor, some do oils and water colours. One does Ravi Varma replicas which are excellent. I believe that for these youngsters, Kahawa is a start. We''re not an association, but we help any young, upcoming artists. We open our arms to everyone.
What should these students do on their part to promote themselves?
Things are highly competitive nowadays. You''ve got to make your mark. You either need a silver spoon in your mouth or you need brilliant marketing skills. And students today don''t know how to sell themselves or market their work. It''s just not their forte. What art colleges should do in the final year is groom them for the outside world.
kanakhirani@indiatimes.com