More than 200 artists gather at renovated Venkatappa Art Gallery in Bengaluru

Renovated Venkatappa Art Gallery inaugurated by artists in solidarity after boycott of formal event.

A day after the formal inauguration of the renovated Venkatappa Art Gallery, about 200 artists, including ones from the Venkatappa Art Gallery forum, gathered at the venue and held a “Gallery Pravesha.”

The artists who congregated at the renovated gallery marked the event by cutting ribbons and exploring the new additions there. “After a struggle of 10 years, we can now proudly say Bengaluru has a superb art gallery,” said Pa.Sa. Kumar, Karnataka Lalithakala Academy president.

The artists had boycotted the formal inauguration by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Tourism Minister H.K. Patil, after the invitation from the gallery and the government failed to mention artists from the State. Those who stayed away from the formal event included senior artists like S.G. Vasudev.

“We have been raising voices for the renovation of the gallery for the last 10 years. Core committee members were consulted at every stage of the work, but for the inauguration, we were left out. Not even senior artists or Academy heads were invited,” said Sheela Gowda, core committee member of the Venkatappa Art Gallery forum.

Senior artist Krishna Setty remarked that the ‘gallery pravesha’ was a symbol of solidarity amongst the artist community.

“As per protocol, 55 names were there in the initial invitation. Not a single artist was mentioned in that list. Only when we made a hue and cry did they add the names of a few artists. But we had already made a decision. Only very few artists took part in the formal inauguration, whereas more than 200 artists are here today.” 

Several artists expressed happiness that the original building and the character of the place were retained during the restoration work. Sandeep J., principal architect at Architecture Paradigm, which worked on the restoration, was felicitated during the event.