by Georgina Maddox
A formal category known as ‘Social artistry’, is the attempt to address or recognize a particular social issue using art and creativity. Not all artworks are necessarily ‘issue based’, they may have been created just for the artist’s creative urge, however they may also be employed for raising funds for a social cause. In these difficult times of climate change, floods, earth quakes and other natural disasters, several waves of the COVID 19 pandemic and other challenges faced by the vulnerable sections of society, charity art events have undoubtedly come to the rescue by raising funds for the causes through art sales.
A painting of a mother and child or a lively sketch of people having a great time at the circus, is not only an art collectible but has the potential to generate funds which can be used for a good cause. Navya Naveli Gallery and its director Amrita Kochhar have hosted an exhibition with art works donated by the masters and contemporary artists for fundraising. The charity art exhibition is raising funds to help underprivileged children who are in the need for but cannot afford medical intervention.
Sakti Burman's work
Jamini Roy's work
Laxman Aelay's work
Vimmi Indra's work
The exhibition features artworks from the likes of Shakti Burman, Jamini Roy, Anjolie Ela Menon, A Ramachandran, FN Souza Jogen Chowdhury, Krishen Khanna, Lalu Prasad Shaw, Manjit Bawa, MF Hussain, Ram Kumar, Shakti Burman, Suhas Roy, and Sunil Das, and contemporaries like Laxman Aelay, Vimmi Indra, Maya Burman, Naynaa Kanodia, and Subodh Kerkar to name a few. Navya Naveli Gallery prides itself in presenting a well laid-out art gallery which provides a dedicated space to both the artists and visitors from all walks of life. Showcasing an artist of promise alongside the Great Masters is very rewarding and the gallery launched its new season with this grand show of 50 artists. The charity art exhibition marks the beginning of the gallery and of their commitment to raise funds for just causes and to promote art and artists.
The charity partner Nanak Sai is an NGO which was started in the name of Late Dr. Manjit Kochhar, who was an eminent Doctor and believed in the concept of Seva and giving back to society. “Through Nanak Sai, we want to help as many people as possible and do whatever we can in terms of resources, infrastructure, funds to help the underprivileged, to help families living in bastis and to help those struggling with disease and high cost treatments,” says Kochhar.
The charity exhibition opened on 27 November 2021 and is open to public viewing and sales till 14th December at Navya Naveli Gallery located at B-18 Greater Kailash Enclave-1 New Delhi-110048, The show has been conceived and curated by the Gallery Director Amrita Kochhar
(All images are courtesy of the Navya Naveli Gallery and Georgina Maddox)
Georgina Maddox is an independent critic-curator with almost two decades of experience in the field of Indian art and culture. She was assistant editor at India Today’s Mail Today and senior arts writer for the Indian Express and the Times of India. She is currently working in the media as an independent critic for various publications and has published articles in Open Magazine, India Today, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and also in Elle Magazine, The Hindu and Business Line, Sunday Magazine BLINK, TAKE on Art, Time Out, and online with US based E-magazine, Studio International, STIR world and MASH Mag.