Local Culture and Hardwork on Display in the Upmarket Colaba’s Corner

“He might have bought an experience,” says Anupa Mehta, the gallery owner of the Colaba-based Anupa Mehta Contemporary Art, while talking about the news of an entrepreneur, Justin Sun, buying a yellow banana duct-taped to a wall by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, which had taken the internet by storm recently. But Sun decided to eat his experience. “He might have a lot of money,” says Mehta, further in the conversation, all while we gaze at the new artwork in her gallery, ‘Sacred Object’, a bunch of bananas by G Ravinder Reddy. 

The South Indian sculptor Reddy, who belongs to Suryapet, Andhra Pradesh, has aimed to highlight the significance of bananas, not just as a fruit but also as a ritual in the Indian household. This fibreglass sculpture painted with polyester resin is also embellished with flowers and threads, aiming to “elevate an everyday object to the status of sacred art.” 

Mumbai’s spirit and market shines

Going further in the walkthrough in the ‘Voir Dire In the Round’ exhibition with Mrs Mehta, however, transported us to the spirits of western India, Mumbai. Even while the artworks on the theme revolving around ‘Dabbawallas of Bombay’ have been redundant, Valay Shende has created ‘Tiffin’, where he has employed stainless steel discs where each disc symbolises a tiffin vessel. “The theme might be repetitive, but it is about the creativity that the artists can come up with in order to pay an ode to the hard work of people,” Mehta says.

What makes the ‘Tiffin’ stand apart here is the original pictures of a few of the Dabbawallas used for the artwork that simply pay homage to one of the most popular and important workforces of Mumbai. In the artist’s words: “This sculpture is not merely a celebration of the dabbawallas’ indomitable spirit and dedication but also a profound meditation on the significance of labour in the vibrant economy of Mumbai.”

Right in front of this artwork is another that carries the essence of markets in Mumbai, and as we proceed to see it, Mehta says, “It is the material that interests me a lot and helps me curate art.” Sudharshan Shetty, a renowned sculptor and installation artist from Manglore has two ceramic jars, but only if this was it. As we ponder upon its unevenness, Mehta shares, “It is a mix of two artworks: porcelain and reused teak wood.”

Mehta informs that the porcelain has been sourced from the local markets that offer imitation antique vases. For it to be used in the artwork, the vase is deliberately broken, and the shattered fragments are then used to create a handcrafted wooden replica. “Even the wood used in this is collected from second-hand markets that come from destroyed structures in and around Mumbai,” she adds. 

Hinting towards the reflection of time, this artwork, which appears antique, is a new creation, whereas the reused teak wood, which is used to complete the broken form, embodies a history of its own. No doubt the artist’s association with Mumbai, who is a graduate of Sir J. J. School of Art.

Along with these, the exhibition shines with other artists like Karnataka-based Arunkumar HG, Benitha Perciyal, who hails from Chennai, Kerala-based Bose Krishnamachari, Chittrovanu Mazumdar, who comes from Kolkata, and Mumbai-based Riyas Komu, who have displayed their distinct artworks, which garnered the attention of 100-150 people during the initial days. 

‘Thriving on such curations’

Contrary to that, the gallery remains deserted as we take the walkthrough and understand if such curations can also lead to good sales from the viewers. “No artworks from this exhibition has been sold. However, the gallery thrives on the sales, so we know there are art admirers,” says Mehta including that she has seen even young people coming to witness the experience.

Anupa Mehta’s gallery shifted from Lower Parel to Colaba recently, and on asked the reason, she says, “All the art galleries are or are opening in Colaba. It is very hard to get people for art in Lower Parel, but such is not the case in Colaba,” she says. 

Located on the ground floor of an art déco building, the gallery has already become one of those in the upmarket area of Colaba that, owing to its purchasing power and elitism, carries the potential to draw people to the art galleries. In this case, the stark contrast lies within the fact that it attracts the rich to admire the art that speaks volumes about the stories of middle class.