[PhotoSparks] ‘Becoming an artist is a struggle but is well worth it’ - 21 years of art gallery Sumukha

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In this two-part pictorial essay, we feature some of the diverse art works exhibited at the gallery Sumukha in Bengaluru over the last 21 years.

In the earlier 160 posts, we brought you a wide range of creative photographs from an art fair, world music festival, painting fair, telecom expo, art museum, mobile showcase, business cards, art therapy, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, Vesak, jazz festival, modern art gallery, ecopreneurs, painter-poets, health activists, eNGOs and digital innovators.

Premilla Baid founded the art gallery Sumukha in Bengaluru 21 years ago. Over the years, more than 75 artists have had their works featured in the gallery, such as Baiju Parthan, B.S. Shivaraju, K. Laxma Goud, Ravikumar Kashi, Riyas Komu, S.G. Vasudev, Samir Mondal, Venkat Bothsa, Vivek Vilasini, Aishwaryan K, Anthony Roche, Dushyanth Patel, Japani Shyam, Jehangir Jani, Jyotsna Bhatt, Murali Cheeroth, Pradeep Kumar, Nidhin, Nankusia Shyam, Shanthi Swaroopini, Sudha Basavaraj, Tanya Mehta and Viraj Naik.

As an art consultant, Premilla also curated a magnificent exhibition of installations recently at RMW EcoWorld (see my photo essay here). Some of the featured artists include award-winning sculptors such as Dhruva Mistry. Other artists recently profiled in Sumukha are Sanika Deshpande, Maria Shakir, Barkha Gupta, Mihika Row and Madhulika Mohan.

“There is so much to discover and explore in visual languages and drawing techniques,” said Sanika Deshpande, in a chat with YourStory. She urges viewers not to be afraid of art but start by being open to its visual appeal. “Art is about an entire experience,” adds Maria Shakir. Imagining how a viewer’s framework interacts with the artist’s perspective adds new dimensions to the appreciation.

While photography can be an art form by itself, it also lends itself to further creativity by adding overlays and superimposition, says Mihika Row. An art gallery helps viewers connect to art, to the world, to the artist and to themselves. Art is personal and universal at the same time; it can also be a form of therapy to both artist and viewer, she adds. Becoming an artist is a struggle but is well worth it, Mihika advises.

Now what have you done lately to enter and appreciate the world of art, and find your inner balance?

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