ADDING ART TO EVERDAY

The KIRAN NADAR MUSEUM OF ART has through its programming, workshops, art discourses, and symposiums helped people in the city appreciate and integrate art into their lives. By Jyotsna Sharma

- Jyotsna Sharma

INDIAN art has seen a rising interest from investors and collectors over the last few years. We are seeing the emergence of a younger generation of collectors. This is driven by the fact that Indians have more disposable income, are well travelled, and are keen to diversify their portfolio beyond the usual investment models.

As per the Hurun India Art List 2024, the total lots sold in 2024 were 789, up from 495 in 2021, a 59 per cent increase, indicating a growing interest in art as a stable investment asset.

Not just for investment alone, you will see people interacting with art these days just for the love of it. We have come a long way; this change in mindset has been gradual.

There was a time not long back when going to the museum or an art gallery was reserved for those who practised art, sold or bought it – a small world. You wouldn't hear of a regular working individual spending his evening looking at an exhibit at an art gallery. BW Businessworld got in touch with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art to understand how people these days engage with art.

The Museum

The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) is credited with making art accessible to the common man. Sponsored by the Shiv Nadar Foundation, this private museum has through its programming, workshops, art discourses, and symposiums helped people in the city appreciate and integrate art into their lives.

The museum opened its doors to the public in 2010. “Mrs. Nadar’s vision was to share her art collection to bring visibility and accessibility to art,” said Roobina Karode, Director & Chief Curator at KNMA.

The collection at the museum comprises over 15,000 artworks, representative of all major phases of modern and contemporary Indian art, showcased at the two KNMA spaces.