Myriad artistic expressions, ranging from paintings to textiles and from murals to installations, are on display at the seventh Mumbai Edition of the India Art Festival (IAF) which opened today in suburban Worli.
During the two-day event being held at Nehru Centre, the connoisseurs of art can have glimpses of the art trends prevailing in India and Asian countries.
"Over 50 art galleries and 575 artistes, representing 30 cities across 10 countries from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe are taking part in the exhibition," said Rajendra Patil, founder and MD of the India Art Festival.
Founded in 2011 by the publishers of Indian Contemporary Art Journal, the event is held annually in Mumbai and Delhi.
This year, over 20 new art galleries are participating in the IAF.
"There are a total of 150 booths. Art collectors and connoisseurs are spoilt for choices to chose from many medium and styles -oil paintings, acrylics, water colours, original prints, installations, drawings in myriad styles dealing with varied subjects including landscape, abstracts, cityscapes, seascapes, urban and rural scenarios, portraits, traditional paintings, murals, warli art among others," Patil said.
He said all the art works displayed at the IAF are also made available online through e-commerce portal "eindiartfestival.com" in the art galleries and artists pavillion.
Veteran journalist cum painter Prakash Bal Joshi, who has showcased his latest works under the banner of Art Breeze Art Gallery, told PTI that this festival is one of the major art events in the country where artists get an opportunity to showcase their works.
"I have been doing abstract work for the two decades. Nature is my inspiration and degradation of environment is my concern as an artist. Blue and green are two colours I have been using for expressing myself," he said.
Gouri Seth (64) from Uchaan Art Gallery, Gurugram, has taken up the brush after a gap of 42 years.
Showcasing her Buddha's at the exhibition, Seth said, "for me painting is meditation. My Buddhas make me happy and calm. I want to share that inner peace and happiness with all those looking at them".
The inaugural ceremony of the event was a star-studded affair with singer Sonu Nigam, actress Mahima Chaudhary, musician Lesle Lewis, noted chef Sanjeev Kapoor in attendance and visiting various stalls.
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