The A-list of Delhis social circuit was in full attendance for this art debut. Mumbai gallerist Kalpana Shah displayed her works on the walls of Visual Arts Gallery,helped by curator Alka Pande. Though Shah had exhibited her works in Mumbai in December 2009,this was her first show in Worli in Delhi. While artists Krishen Khanna and Anjolie Ela Menon were seen appreciating the artwork,a word of praise also came in from MF Husain a white board in the corner had the veteran artist describe Shahs art as an outburst of great significance. These are kind words, says Shah,recalling that it was Husains work that had initiated her into art in 1992. I had seen his canvases near Marine Drive and that is when I realised my passion for art, adds Shah,52. The outcome was Tao Art Gallery,which she established in 2000 in Mumbai. Two years ago,it was Husain again who prompted her to turn into an artist. He also became her first collector,purchasing a small canvas painted by Shah during a vacation in Dubai . He bought it for 11 dirhams, says Shah. Back in Mumbai,she began to work on an exhibition. I wanted to develop my personal style, says Shah,whose exhibition in Mumbai had abstract canvases alongside metal work. The exhibition in Delhi,titled Power of Love is dedicated to her husband Pradeep who lost his life in the 26/11 attack. Shah has worked with abstracts and metal. The metal work on the wall pieces are convenient for storage, points out Shah,as viewers crowd around the metal chains in her installations. Even as she awaits the verdict of the art aficionados in Delhi,Shah has already lined up are exhibitions in Chennai,Bangalore and Kolkata. I want to reach out to art-loving people across India before exhibiting abroad, she says. The exhibition is on till March 27. Contact: 24682001
