15th Mar 2006

Saffronart online auction to focus on young painters
Online auction mart Saffronart is to move away from the usual big names and focus on younger painters during its March 15-16 offering to bring them within the reach of new collectors.

"There will be 125 lots, featuring 44 contemporary artists of the post-independence generation," according to Mumbai-based Saffronart director Dinesh Vazirani.

"The objective of the auction is to introduce a selection of artists that broaden the market and give an opportunity to new, young collectors to participate on the auction platform.

"Additionally, the auction will also introduce new media like installation, sculpture and photography," Vazirani said.

Saffronart, only five years old but with 12 auctions under its belt, seems to have created a stir in the art mart in both India and New York.

There will be five works by Atul Dodiya, among them "The Kitchen" (estimate Rs.3.4-3.8 million), "As Though He Listened" (Rs.3.5-4 million) and "German Measles, Polkes Eye" (Rs.3-3.5 million).

Two enigmatic works by Atul's wife Anju Dodiya, who fetched a high price at Sotehby's last year, are also expected to do well.

"Pillory" is estimated to fetch between Rs.1.8 million and Rs.2.2 million, while "White Heat" could get up to Rs.2.5 million.

There will be a few works by Subodh Gupta, who in the past has wooed the West with his surreal and pop iconographic style. Gupta does not judge but simply depicts the imperfect and everyday world as he sees it.

There will be a number of sculptures and installations by Nataraj Sharma, Sunil Gawde, Sudarshan Shetty, Navjot, Riyas Komu, Jagannath Panda, and Ravinder Reddy.

Of particular note is Reddy's "Fibre Glass Head" (Rs.1.2-Rs.1.5 million)

And in a deviation from the usual, there will be photographs by Anita Dube, Bharti Kher, Anant Joshi, and Riyas Komu. (IANS)

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