Sanjana Shah comes from an Art and Real Estate background. She took over her family’s art gallery business – Tao Art Gallery, which is an established cultural hub of Indian art in Mumbai for twenty years. In the role of the Creative Director, she co-curates exhibitions, writes concept notes, ideates on new potential collaborations, and manages the gallery’s brand image and sales. She is also working as an independent Art Curator and Consultant both in India and internationally.
As an extension of her role as an Art Consultant, she works part-time in her family company, Group Satellite. She oversees the interiors and aesthetics and engages with clients and interior designers for art sales post-completion.
Your thoughts on the significance of art in Interior Designing in an Indian Context.
Coming from a real-estate background, I can personally attest to the immense value addition that good art can bring to ones home. Any interior design is incomplete without the finishing touches of complimenting art and accessories. Especially today with the Contemporary advent of more minimalist, chic and monochromatic interiors, art brings that necessary and refreshing pop factor to the entire look.
I wouldn’t say ‘good art’ refers to expensive art, because that tends to be a common misconception in India! Good art is any art that speaks to its audience, has roots in the current dialogue of art trends, and works well with the aesthetics of a place.
How art form has changed over the last decade in India?
My gallery, Tao Art Gallery, has witnessed the changing landscape of Indian art over the past two decades. From the times when the works of our Modern Indian Masters like Hussain and Raza graced the walls in the early 2000’s, to the 2008 financial crisis and the subsequent pick-up in the last decade with the ent ands at the brink of transition again as we enter the new decade, especially with the new normal triggered by this pandemic! The nature of the art scene in Mumbai in the initial years of the gallery limited intellectual and creative growth for both the art consumer and the curator.
Today however things are different, the importance and value of art is rising again and a new meaning is associated with the term ‘art appreciation’ in India. This is the time to expand and encompass a wider idea of art that goes beyond the canvas, curation that explores dimensions, ideas, and parallel thinking in order to open the mind of the viewer.
I believe art can be found in every single thing: installations, theatre, dance, literature, philosophies, music, all of these human expressions are an art in and of itself! It is necessary to create hubs that combine all of these elements into one symbiotic space. Digital too, is now a medium that must be explored thoroughly and virtual art rooms are now an irreplaceable feature for all shows. We are truly in the Contemporary era now and the art form isn’t bound or limited by any mediums or the four white walls of a gallery.
Your Journey as a woman entrepreneur, any challenges you have faced so far while?
I am perhaps not an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word because I have taken forward the mantle of a family business. But alongside I have also expanded independently my passion of being an Art Curator and Consultant, both in India and Internationally. I have also initiated new avenues in Tao that help the gallery to engage with a larger audience and occupy a more meaningful space in the art world!
I founded the #EducateForArt series with the sole purpose of conserving the rich heritage of global art and allowing audiences to explore the wonders of art in a truly experiential manner through wholesome workshops for kids and adults promoting Art Appreciation, Art History and Art Knowledge.
The journey has been incredibly fulfilling but yes, also slightly challenging. Any expansion will face resistance in the beginning just because you are nudging beyond and reaching higher. There is also the classic scenario of butting heads with the older minds in any organization when younger mindsets enter. The art world is fueled by its social networks and being able to enter that and maneuver your way successfully is a task that requires careful effort and continuous engagement.
Despite every hiccup however, the one thing that kept me going was my passion for my profession! I am lucky to be doing what I love.
How has the current pandemic changed the Art scenario
In the beginning we were all a bit skeptical about the Indian art market recovering from such a crisis! It seemed doubtful that people would want to invest in a luxury commodity like art in a situation like this. However, the art world’s quick innovation and adaptability changed the game and by August, virtual shows and online auctions were booming! People definitely seem to now realize the increased value of living in beautiful homes when stuck indoors for such a prolonged period of time. Many people want to begin their art collection or re-decorate their homes.
Another great development has been the rise of creativity in this period. Any sort of crisis tends to fuel expression and our artists have not held back. A lot of good works have come out of this period and most with reasonable prices, perhaps triggering a newer trend of affordable art. The art from this time will definitely be a special collectible for connoisseurs and collectors to have and remember for decades to come.
From a technical perspective of course the first change was taking art shows entirely virtual. To keep online shows successful, the key will be to choose the art that can be done justice to when viewed online and the thematic curation of shows has to be strong to be eye-catching at a time when everyone is trying to grab eyeballs online.
Collaborating virtually and supporting one another not just nationally, but internationally, is the way forward for the global art world. I was given the opportunity to become the Indian ambassador for the Arte Laguna Prize 20.21 during this pandemic, and I have interacted with ambassadors from different countries on Zoom. So in fact in this global lockdown, there is an increase in mutual under standing and ideation.
Art will never only be about online viewings, in my personal opinion. I have always believed that the art piece is as much about the creator as it is about the viewer. The engagement, the interaction, is crucial and can only be done thoroughly when one is physically present to see it in all its forms and angles. With multi-media increasingly coming into use in Contemporary Indian Art, most art pieces are very layered and complexly created and this complexity cannot easily be captured on camera and experienced digitally.
However, as I mentioned, technology has improved and with a 3D virtual tour it is possible to experience it online in a more than satisfactory way. This is however costly and in the long-term needs to be sustained with other types of engagement to generate sales. As curator it becomes even more crucial today for us to communicate ideas and concepts to the viewers experiencing the art digitally as to avoid anything getting lost in translation. The story-telling narrative in the art will also become even more crucial.
Your message to all our readers especially to other women entrepreneurs and professionals.
I believe that just like life, one’s business too should strive to have a balance. Especially a balance between creativity and calculation! Extremism of any kind can lead to a collapse and consistency in character and commitment is crucial for any kind of success! I feel like as a woman entrepreneur especially in fields that are male dominated, there are moments one feels undervalued or insecure.
However, I do believe that women are able to navigate life with better balance and perspective and have it in them to stay afloat no matter what. I would like to tell all my fellow women entrepreneurs and professionals that no matter what you are made to believe otherwise remember that you define who you are and who you want to become. So tap into your inner sense of self and know that sky is the limit!
