Rajendra, Founder and Managing Director, IAF, says, “IAF is known for its mission of democratizing art viewing and buying.”
Thanks to artistic events like the India Art Festival and the Bengaluru Design Festival (for which YourStory is the media partner), Bangaloreans are in for a real treat this week. A compelling mix of conferences, exhibitions, workshops, fairs, and community sessions brings together design, crafts, arts, technology, and creativity.
The India Art Festival (IAF) network, which was established in 2011, comprises art fairs in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi. The festival seeks to encourage conversation and cooperation among all participants in the art ecosystem, including galleries, art dealers, artists, buyers, interior designers, architects, and art connoisseurs.
IAF features established as well as emerging artists and offers valuable opportunities for peer learning and networking. Discovering art promoters and gaining media exposure are also business opportunities.
“Rural artists mingle with urban artists. Together, they bring out the art buying process from the confines of conventional art spaces into a public fair”, says Rajendra, the Founder and Managing Director of Indian Art Festival.
He also adds saying, “In this second Bengaluru edition of IAF, 30 art galleries and 450 artists from various cities are displaying over 4,000 artworks in the 100 booths.”
IAF’s New Delhi edition celebrated seven years in October 2022. The Bengaluru edition is being held at King's Court in the Palace Grounds. The new year kicks off with the Mumbai edition scheduled for 19-22 January at Nehru Centre.
Rajendra also points out that participating galleries come from all over India, beyond the metro cities, and overseas exhibitors at IAF editions have come from the US, Canada, the UK, the UAE, Sri Lanka, Qatar, and Singapore.
He also recalls how it has been a very tough journey for the art fraternity during the COVID-19 pandemic, as during that time, showcasing art and inviting large gatherings were restricted. He also highlights t how, despite the situation, there was a boom of online art shows and art festivals in virtual format.
He finally signs off, saying that nothing can replace physical exhibitions at venues wherein artists, gallerists, art enthusiasts, art writers, and art buyers come together and interact with one another under one roof.