Affordable and Beautiful Art at the Young Collectors Conclave in Hyderabad

Buy Art, an affordable art exhibition, has been a regular show at Hyderabad’s Iconart gallery since 2013 for over four years. It was curated by the gallery’s founder, artist Avani Rao Gandra. This year, Avni’s daughter Gandra Lipika Rao has taken the reins to make art more accessible to a wider demographic, including a younger clientele. Perhaps that’s why his curated show is called the ‘Young Collectors Conclave’, which features works from 40 artists from across the country from 30 July to 20 August.

stepping into the arts

Lipika left her corporate job in 2018 to get into the arts sector and has been conducting art therapy workshops since then. His interactions with people in their 20s and 30s opened new horizons in this new journey. “The youth who are now making their living are interested in the arts; Some of them want to build their new home beautifully but are not sure what their taste is and where to start,” says Lipika, adding that the show is also an opportunity for the youth to grow their art collection. “An art collection connects with the wealthy but with so many emerging artists, buyers can start young and explore their own taste in art.”

Lipika grew up in a house full of art. She recalls with nostalgia, “Paintings take me back to a time when they used to be mounted on the wall. I wonder how old I was and if I had even met the artist. Art creates these emotional responses, brings joy and gives a special place to memories.”

Artwork by Pradeep Saw | photo credit: special arrangement

The idea for an affordable show started in January when Lipika saw her friends who were staying at home due to lockdown restrictions, more interested in decorating homes with art pieces. Once the artists sent photos of their work via email, their mother Avni stepped in to lend her experience as a curator. Although she wanted to start small, the positive response encouraged her to expand the show to include artists from across the country.

Artwork by Saraswati L. | photo credit: special arrangement

The works were chosen for a plethora of styles and expressions, ranging from the natural, the realistic and the figurative to the abstract. Abstract works include Cubism, Impressionism, and Expressionism. With prices starting from Rs 2,500, the range is diverse, affordable and aesthetically pleasing. “We were aware of the fact that the tasks are not very abstract because it may not resonate with every one.”

Lipika says art is a storytelling and learning experience. “Curation is not just about picking out the best paintings. Harmony, understanding purpose and introspection are important. Artworks have to be in line with our purpose and story because a painting can be beautiful and still live within our purpose or criteria. Can’t conform. I can’t forget the fact that I am serving the youth.”

by Ekta Sharma | photo credit: special arrangement

In addition to the physical display at Iconart, the Young Collectors Conclave is also available online (iconartinfo@gmail.com). “We (Iconart) have traditionally been an offline gallery, but want to take the digital forward with this display to bring contemporary Indian art to international platforms.”