Stimulating international dialogue may well be the catchphrase of this year’s India Art Summit that began at Pragati Maidan on August 19. As geographical boundaries dissolve, art becomes truly international. Not only is there a presence of over 15 international galleries at the Summit, several Indian galleries like Sakshi Art Gallery, Chemould Prescott, The Loft Chatterjee & Lal and Marigold Fine Art are showcasing mostly international names.

The variety of art ranges from China, Korea, Japan and the Philippines, to New York, London and Germany. Eastern Europe has a small representation as does the UAE. “It’s wonderful to see these many international participants, though I believe there can be many more galleries,” says Mortimer Chatterjee of Chatterjee & Lal, based in Mumbai. “It takes a lot of gumption for international galleries to show in India, since Indian collectors are more focused and less experimental when it comes to collecting,” he adds.

Others feel the international galleries are curious about India since over the last few years they’ve been exposed to artists and artwork from here. “India has had a large presence at art fairs in France, London, Dubai and London, which has kindled the interest of many foreign galleries, artists and collectors; however, the Indian market is yet unexplored by galleries and collectors from Asia and Europe,” observes Kanchi Mehta, an independent curator.

The stall at the Arario Gallery, a China-based gallery that has branches in New York and Korea displays a mix of Indian and Korean art with artists like Dong Wook Lee displayed alongside Jitish Kallat and L N Talur. Assistant curator Hwajung Choi says that the mix works perfectly because art techniques are universal.

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