Surat's lone art exhibit at a mall

AHMEDABAD: Anton Chekov, the great Russian writer, once stated, "The role of an artist is to ask questions, not to answer them." But in Surat, Gujarat's financial capital, a city known for its global growth, the artists are left wondering what is the purpose of their work. "Although we have several upcoming artists in town, we do not have any proper or permanent designated platform for them to display their works," says artist Rajarshi Smart, co-coordinator of Fine Arts department, at the VNSGU.With no availability of proper space to display their works, artists are in a constant dilemma regarding their exhibits.
The stunning 'Tapi Collection' of Indian textiles and art, which held periodic exhibitions in Surat, is under transit and therefore indefinitely off the exhibition schedule as of now. Visitors such as Joyce and Kenneth Robbins, who are collectors of antique Indian arts, and Mrs and Mr Aditya Jalan, royalty of Patna whose Qila House collection is famous, were disappointed on their recent visit to Surat to have been unable to catch a glimpse of any artwork in Surat.
The only piece of permanent art on display in Surat is surprisingly at the upmarket VR- Virtuous Retail. Named 'Jal Tapi', this life-size boat weighing more than a whopping 300 kilos, installed right at the runaway, is a local 105-year-old 'hodi' that won the annual Magdalla boat race and was adopted by Virtuous Retail as part of its 'Connecting Communities' programme. Internationally renowned artist Paresh Maity's signature strokes in vibrant orange, yellow and blue have transformed a simple boat into a stunning piece of public art. Its 30-feet high canvas sail depicts and celebrates the spirit and culture of the Surtis. Maity said, "It was a lovely opportunity to transform a boat into a piece of art for a public place in this unique installation called 'Jal Tapi'."
Surat boasts of nationally renowned fine artists from the past such as Vasudeo Smart, Jagdeep Smart and Bomi Dangor. Although their magnificent pieces of art live on - stored in studios - none of the works has an area where they can be displayed and appreciated. Rahul Bhattacharya, an independent art historian, who had earlier co-curated shows in Surat with Karishma Shah, pointed out, "The Science Centre Art Gallery is not only unaffordable compared to the walk-ins it gets, but also totally unfriendly in terms of an ambience as far as display and lights for art works are concerned."
Surat's popular IVF specialist Dr Prabhakar Singh, who blogs as 'The Reluctant Embryologist', wonders "Why does Surat lack a culture for art? Development for a culture of art requires good, stable and sustainable economic growth, stable political environment, open minded and acceptable community and strong educational institutions with inspirational personalities. We seem to have all. It would be nice if art would be part of weekend family picnics and a destination for Saturday school trips."