New gallery for emerging artists in Bengaluru

A Mumbai-based platform for emerging artists, launched in 2017, now has a permanent space in Bengaluru’s Cunningham Road. Called Cultivate Art, it is located on the premises of Abstract Art Gallery, a 23-year-old gallery dedicated to art and antiques.

“Since we set up Cultivate Art, we have been having exhibitions across the country. This is our first permanent space. We chose Bengaluru because of the access to space and the newer and wider audience,” says Farah Siddiqui, founder.

Spread across 1,000 square feet, the gallery opened with a show titled ‘Young Collector’s Weekend Global’ which showcases the works of 18 artists from around India. Unlike most group shows, this does not follow a specific theme. Farah was keen on highlighting the works of emerging and mid-career artists individually.

Sareena Khemka, a Bengaluru-based visual artist captures the dark side of urbanisation in a series of mixed works titled ‘Where All Darkness Resides’. She presents buildings and rocks in a bleak palette of greys to drive home her message.

Shades of blue, cotton and embroidery come together in the works of Hansika Sharma, a textile artist whose work is focussed on the colour indigo. The pieces feature abstract embroidered patterns on indigo-dyed cotton, and jute.

In Delhi-based Megha Madan’s work, delicate strips of rice paper are layered together against a black canvas. Titled ‘Many Emotions’, the pieces aim to capture ‘meditative stillness’. 

“The exhibition is for both young and seasoned collectors, with prices ranging from
Rs 40,000 to Rs 10 lakh,” says Farah, who has also curated the show. The current exhibition concludes on June 5. She plans to open her next exhibition post the monsoon season. 

‘Young Collector’s Weekend Global’. Until June 5. At Cultivate Art, Cunningham Road. For details, call 080 4123 5444.