‘Elite Collectors of Modern and Contemporary Indian Art’ opens a window onto a wonderful world of passionate collectors

Driven by their desire to chart a unique course, authors Purrshottam Bhaggeria and Pavan Malhotra have conceptualized and penned this captivating coffee table book. They take the readers along onto a fascinating journey into the exclusive world of discerning collectors and their eclectic collection. The book makes a honest attempt to highlight their definitive aesthetic vision, deep-rooted philanthropy, support and commitment to Indian art and artists.

As Indian contemporary art shines globally, ‘Elite Collectors of Modern and Contemporary Indian Art’ by authors (Publishers: Elite Media; Price: Rs 15,000 for a limited edition of 2,000 numbered copies) has turned the spotlight on renowned collectors such as Parmeshwar Godrej, Suresh Neotia, Tina Ambani, Harsh Goenka, Rajshree Pathy, Sangeeta Jindal, Abhishek Poddar among others), some are less well known Rakesh Agarwal, Mahesh Chandra, Mahinder Tak, Ashwani Kakkar, Malvinder Mohan Singh, Prashant Tuslyan, Sanjay Lalbhai, Rajiv Jehangir Chaudhuri and Dinesh Thacker.

Then there are some international collectors like Masanori Fukuoka and the late Chester Herwitz who find a mention in this first comprehensive tome on art collectors. Barring a few notable exceptions like Anupam Poddar, Lekha Poddar, Nitin Bhayana, Priya Paul, and the de Boers, this attractive coffee table book reflects the passion of avid art collectors.

The publication is a sincere and research based exercise to provide a glimpse into the rich collections of some of India’s top collectors, and their associations with the artists. ‘Elite Collectors of Modern and Contemporary Indian Art’ opens a window onto a wonderful world of passionate collectors. It introduces the readers to their eclectic and engaging collection.

‘Elite Collectors of Modern and Contemporary Indian Art’ is worth collecting for it showcases selected and favorite works of art of each collector, symbolizing their discerning eye and eclectic tastes.



The Ashok Art Gallery is internationally known for one of its most important holdings: more than 2000 major works by the world's most significant Artists.Over the past years, as Ashok Art Gallery has become a major centre for contemporary visual art, the Gallery has built a strong collection of contemporary work of different artists, became a sponsor of the STANDUP-SPEAKOUT Artshow, Organized by Art Of Living Foundation and United Nations.Organized an International Contenmporary Art Exhibition including artists from USA, The Nederlands, Pakistan and India.We have also participated at Art Expo India Mumbai and India Art Summit Delhi.The Best art place on this globe.

Art Expo India 2009 will act as a window to peep into Indian art and its growing Market

After a significant fall in art prices last autumn, domestic as well as international galleries are optimistic about the contemporary art market. Experts predict a sooner than expected, however, a gradual recovery.

According to ArtTactic, a market research firm, the market sure has strengthened after a noticeable drop in average prices for contemporary Indian art at the recent auctions (roughly 76% during the period of September 2008 and March 2009). Average auction prices for Indian art are currently at around $24,536, up from the lows of $13,827 in March 2009.

In an effort to add momentum to the recovery, Art Expo India 2009 is bringing together the country's largest fine and popular art galleries, art dealers, artists, experts and art publishers. Apart from thousands of quality art works by Indian artists, it will include international galleries that will bring works from their top . Art Expo India 2009, in a way, provides art investors and collectors a cross section of Indian and world art.

Their spontaneous response suggests that most exhibitors are keen on showing their best works in the financial capital of India. They want to use the fair as an opportunity to develop a network, add to their contacts, enhance collaborations and gauge the mood of the domestic market.
From 25‐27th September 2009, the cosmopolitan financial capital of India, Mumbai will be hosting the celebrated Indian contemporary Art Expo. Leading Indian and nternational art galleries will be taking part in this event. The Art Expo promises to be a significant cultural and social event in the Indian Subcontinent. The discussions at the Art Expo feature prominent international art world personalities including Kay Saatchi, Judith Greer, Princess Tatjana zu Schaumburg‐Lippe, Kirsty Ogg and many other Museum curators, consultants and collectors. Now in its 2nd year, it is the largest art fair devoted to modern and contemporary Indian Art. Organised at the Nehru Centre in Mumbai, this year’s show exhibits a wide mix of cutting edge, eclectic and exciting art works. A series of interactive conversations with experts will demystify the language & knowledge of art to visitors.
The Art Expo India is a high profile meeting ground for art dealers, galleries, artists and collectors. This expo has popularised Indian contemporary art across cultural, social and economical boundaries in India and internationally and plays a catalytic role in building a market for contemporary Indian art both in India and globally. It is a high end shopping event presenting a wide array of works by famous and upcoming Indian artists. Publishers, dealers and gallery owners will showcase cutting edge work in different media ‐ from paintings and sculpture to prints and photography. The exhibition holds the largest gathering of art professionals in India and is the only place where one can meet thousands of new collectors and artists on a one‐to‐one basis.
Over 10,000 art lovers including collectors, buyers and corporate decision makers, high net worth individuals, leading Indian business families, CXOs from different multinationals and celebrities from Bollywood will be attending this prestigious social event in the Indian art calendar.
Featured Speakers at the EXPO Kay Saatchi will be delivering the keynote on spotting young talent and building up an art collection.

Some of the other renowned and featured speakers are:
1. Judith Greer ‐ International art collector and author
2. Kirsty Ogg ‐ Co‐Curator of The White chapel gallery
3. Ranjit Hoskote – Contemporary Indian poet, art critic, cultural theorist and
independent curator
4. Jitish Kallat – Dynamic and acclaimed worldwide, Indian Contemporary artist.
5. Sharan Apparao ‐ India’s leading contemporary art gallerists producing
exhibitions in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai
6. Menaka Kumari Shah – Christies Representative for India
7. Dr. Alka Pande – Consultant Art Advisor, Curator of Visual Arts Gallery at the
India Habitat Centre in New Delhi and a prolific writer on Indology and art history
and author of several well‐acclaimed books.
8. Satish Manashinde ‐ Renowned lawyer
9. Anjolie Ela Menon – India’s leading contemporary female artist. Her paintings
are in several major collections
10. Bose Krishnamachari – Famous multi‐disciplinary artist who has exhibited in
numerous solo and group exhibitions internationally
11. Shantanu Poredi – Renowned architect. Designed many interesting international
and Indian projects
12. Rajshree Pathy – Eminent entrepreneur and businesswoman and Art
Connoisseur
Visitors will include art collectors, connassiours, architects and interior designers, buyers and corporate decision makers. These important visitors will be specially invited to attend the show. At least 20,000 quality visitors are expected.

Exhibitors of ART EXPO INDIA 2009

Apparao Galleries Madras, ICIA Mumbai, Sakshi Mumbai, Latitude 28 Delhi, Jolrong.com Singapore / Bangladesh, Indian Art Ideas Delhi , Dhoomimal Gallery Delhi, Art Musings Mumbai, Art Seefeld Switzerland, Gallery Beyond Mumbai, Ishka Cochin, Priyasri Art Gallery Mumbai, Sara Arakkal Banglore, Ashok Art Gallery Delhi, Gurgaon Art Centre Delhi, Art Inc Delhi, Wonderwall Delhi, Pink Ginger Arts, 1x1 Art Gallery Dubai, Marigold Fine Art Delhi
Despite the recession and the subsequent fall in prices, experts feel the market for fine art is still very strong, though not as hyped as it was a couple of years ago. Importantly, long term collectors want to use this phase to build on their portfolios. Especially, a host of investors-individual as well institutional- from European and American art circuit are looking to add Indian art to their collections. For many of them Indian art is still new. Art Expo India 2009 will act as a window for them to peep into Indian art

The Ashok Art Gallery is internationally known for one of its most important holdings: more than 2000 major works by the world's most significant Artists.Over the past years, as Ashok Art Gallery has become a major centre for contemporary visual art, the Gallery has built a strong collection of contemporary work of different artists.
Last year we became a sponsor of the STANDUP-SPEAKOUT Artshow, Organized by Art Of Living Foundation and United Nations.Organized an International Contenmporary Art Exhibition including artists from USA, The Nederlands, Pakistan and India.We have also participated at Art Expo India 2008 Mumbai and India Art Summit 2008 New Delhi.

Art Expo India 2009 is back with a bang!

After a very successful run last year, the Art Expo India 2009 is back with a bang! The show this year is bigger than ever with several prominent international personalities, keynote speakers, art consultants and dealers from around the world. Last year’s Exhibition was a major success. Some of the prominent galleries to feature their collections were The Arts Trust and The Osmosis Gallery (Mumbai), Arushi Arts and Ashok Art Gallery (New Delhi), Kalakriti Art Gallery (Hyderabad), Eca Emamichisel Art (Kolkata) and Marvel Art Gallery (Ahmadabad). The Exhibition was attended by luminaries of both the Art and the Corporate world, all united in their common appreciation for Indian Art. Tanya and Arvind Dubash, Pheroja and Jamshyd Godrej, Nancy and Ranjit Hoskote, Niranjan Hiranandani, Kumaramangalam Birla, Yash Birla, Bina and Talat Aziz, and Poonam Dhillon were some of the high profile visitors..

Art Expo India 2009 is a high profile meeting ground for art dealers, galleries, artists and prospective buyers. This exhibition will play a catalytic role in building the art market in India. It is a high end shopping event presenting a wide array of works by famous and upcoming Indian artists. Publishers, dealers, gallery owners and artists will proudly display art in various styles using popular media - from paintings and sculpture to prints and photography.
The exhibition holds the largest gathering of art professionals in India and is the only place where one can meet thousands of new customers on a one-to-one basis. New exhibitors can kick start their businesses and create profitable long-term relationships, making it the meeting ground for art dealers, galleries, artists and prospective buyers.
Visitors will include art collectors, connassiours, architects and interior designers, buyers and corporate decision makers. These important visitors will be specially invited to attend the show. At least 20,000 quality visitors are expected.

On the panel of speakers is the internationally renowned art curator Kay
Saatchi. She began her art career as a Director of the Mayor Rowan Gallery,
London; moving on to be the Contemporary Director of Waddington Galleries,
London. In partnership with her ex-husband, Charles Saatchi, she co-curated
over 34 exhibitions for the Saatchi Collection between l987 and 2001, including
the ‘Sensation’ exhibition show at the Royal Academy, London; Kunsthalle, Berlin and the Brooklyn Museum, New York. In 2003, as Travel Editor of ArtReview, she wrote about emerging art markets in Mumbai, Havana, Morocco, Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa and also covered an Antony Gormley installation in Australia’s outback, and Sydney and Perth. In 2003 she wrote text for the book ‘British Artists at Work’. She is the Founding Director of the ‘Artists & Collectors Exchange’ a program to promote young artists. In 2007 and 2008 she curated ‘ANTICIPATION’, an exhibition of the best of emerging artists from London’s art colleges. With years of experience behind her, Mrs. Saatchi’s keynote address on spotting young talent and building up an art collection will be insightful as well as entertaining.

The Art Expo 2009 will be held on September 25th, 26th and 27th this year,

at Nehru Center, Worli, Mumbai

from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

ArtExpo India 2009 Organisers:
Trade & Technology Exposition Co. (India) Pvt. Ltd. was established in 1987 as an exhibition organising company and several events on different themes have been organized by them. Their flagship exhibition is GIFTEX which is now in its 22nd year. With over 70 Trade Shows to their credit Trade & Technology have the experience, the ability and the understanding of the art market as well. The organisation is headed by Mr. Vickram Sethi and has a support team that specialises in setting up trade events.
Mr. Vickram Sethi is a major player in the Indian art market since 1988. Currently the owner of a large gallery, an auction house and an active art portal. He has tremendous domain knowledge of the art market and his experience in the trade show business will ensure success of the ART EXPO INDIA 2009.

For more information please contact:
Aarti Aggarwal at Communiqué Public Relations
022-6610 0304 / 66518061

The Ashok Art Gallery is internationally known for one of its most important holdings: more than 2000 major works by the world's most significant Artists.Over the past years, as Ashok Art Gallery has become a major centre for contemporary visual art, the Gallery has built a strong collection of contemporary work of different artists.
Last year we became a sponsor of the STANDUP-SPEAKOUT Artshow, Organized by Art Of Living Foundation and United Nations.Organized an International Contenmporary Art Exhibition including artists from USA, The Nederlands, Pakistan and India.We have also participated at Art Expo India 2008 Mumbai and India Art Summit 2008 New Delhi.