HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS
HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS
DIRECTOR OF DHOOMIMAL GALLERY, UDAY JAIN, speaks with Bridal Asia about how newly-weds can invest in art
The joy of setting up your own home after getting married is unmatched, and artwork can be such a delightful way to express yourself. But how do you go about selecting the right piece, and how do you curate a collection to write home about? Bridal Asia spoke with Uday Jain, Director of Delhi-based Dhoomimal Gallery to understand just how to invest in pieces that speak to your taste and the aesthetics of your home.
Bridal Asia: What should a young couple keep in mind while investing in art?
Uday Jain: “Art is very personal and should only be bought when you really like something. Whatever the price range, there will always be options to choose from… To acquaint yourself with art or artists, visit exhibitions or galleries or browse online. Gradually, you will start relating to certain artists and a style. Once you identify the five artists you like, you can always study their journey and decide which one to choose. It’s always a good idea to buy from a reputed gallery or auction house as authenticity and curation are the basis for any good collection.”
BA: Who are the artists to watch out for?
UJ: “The Modern Masters are always the safest bet —F.N. Souza, S.H. Raza, M.F. Husain, Krishen Khanna and Anjolie Ela Menon are artists you can never go wrong with. Even for such artists, while their canvas works might start in excess of R40-50 lakh, their paper works could start at even R1-2 lakh. Within the same price range, larger works by some mid-career artists like Paresh Maity, Sanjay Bhattacharya, and Thota Vaikuntam are excellent choices as their markets are well established and will only grow from here. In addition, they add to the aesthetics of a house or any space. There are, of course, younger, more affordable artists for those looking to start their collection. However, those are purely for the aesthetics and love of art and not necessarily for investment.”
BA: Does art make for a good wedding present?
UJ: “Art is an excellent wedding present because art is permanent. We have seen art being passed down from
generation to generation. The beauty of art is that, unlike jewellery, it can be enjoyed by all those in a home.”
BA: How does the value of art appreciate?
UJ: “We get asked this question very often. When it comes to the Masters, the supply is so limited that, at times, a work can be transacted multiple times on the same day at good profits. However, I believe that art should be considered more like property rather than like stocks. It should be held for at least three to five years to get a considerable return.”
BA: What kind of art should the couple keep in their home?
UJ: “Every home should have its own language. You could consider traditional works like a Raja Ravi Varma
or Jamini Roy, or something very modern like an abstract work by Raza. The basic principle is to be true to what
you like. For instance, my own choices may hugely differ from my wife’s. I might like strong nudes or very subtle
colours while my wife might like bright landscapes… I feel every couple should have their personal collection and that should reflect in what they put up in their room.”
