‘Gallerie One’: Kashmir’s artists, art lovers get a new platform
Exhibition showcases works by 34 emerging artists
Kashmir has finally got its own art gallery where works by at least 34 leading and emerging artists are presently on display.
‘Gallerie One’—recently thrown open for public at the Tourist Reception Center here—is the first place of contemporary arts and research in Jammu and Kashmir which has been established with the support of J&K Tourism Department, which retains the ownership of the property.
At the moment, the gallery is showcasing works by 34 leading and emerging artists of Kashmir in an exhibition which is being attended by art lovers and artists from within and outside the state.
Gallerie One is a single-access space, housing an art gallery, archiving and cataloging centre, digital media lab, research centre, library and a leisure space.
“It is one of our foremost goals to create a situation in Kashmir where an international art-scene might exist,” says Syed Mujtaba Rizvi, Founder and Managing Director of Kashmir Art Quest, who conceived, formulated and implemented the project along with Fasal Dar, Chief Operating Officer at Gallerie One.
Dar ensures implementation of the project. “We celebrate a culture of innovation and creativity and strive to foster creative and cultural entrepreneurship in Kashmir,” he told Greater Kashmir.
Kashmir Art Quest—which has been working towards advancement of arts, artists and art education in Kashmir since its foundation in August 2009—has helped revive the art scene in the Valley. Through various projects over the years, it has brought the art works of Kashmiri artists into the public domain while taking it out to the international stage as well.
The centre is likely to link up with institutions around the world to boost arts, creative and cultural entrepreneurship, tourism, and promotion of brand Kashmir. The gallery is planning to have ‘curated shows’ throughout the year.
“The centre will initiate the exploration of a creative economy in Kashmir, whose value propositions for the state is estimated to be worth hundreds of crores of rupees,” says Mujtaba, adding that the gallery will also host artists from all over the world and represent Kashmiri artists at the international level. The current show ends on March 31 and will host artists’ talks, workshops and seminars.
