For Art's Sake

With all eyes on India, five new-age collectors reflect on their journeys of patronage that extend beyond private collections toward lasting cultural legacies.

- By HIMANSHU DUTTA

What does it mean to be an “art collector”? This was the fundamental query that guided my conversations with five young collectors from across the country. Over several hours spent on Zoom meetings and phone calls, my rudimentary assumptions about what often appears to be an extravagant pursuit were quietly dismantled, revealing an informed and intentional engagement with art and artists through personal patronage, institutional support, and the primordial impulse to surround oneself with beauty.

The collectors express a critical negotiation of the acquisitory epithet, adding layers of nuance and depth to the act of collecting. There’s an overwhelming sense of “why” that defines our exchange, and it is here that the power of these stories lie. As South Asia positions itself as one of the leading talent pools and global markets, these new-age collectors are looking beyond building personal collections. Instead, they are contributing to a broader cultural landscape, shaping artists’ careers, expanding public access to art, and participating in the stewardship of artistic legacies.

SIDDHARTH SOMAIYA

“Artists are knowledge creators, they aren't just decorating something to match your couch,” says Siddharth Somaiya. For the Mumbai-based educator, entrepreneur, and co-creator of the IMMERSE Residency & Fellowship at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, artists lie at the nucleus of the ecosystem. “I don't consider myself a collector, nor do I aspire to be one,” he clarifies. “For me, it's not about consuming art, but supporting artists' practices and lived experiences.”