KOCHI:
Kochi Biennale Foundation has opened a preview exhibition for works that will be part of the Ark Rises for Kerala (ARK) relief auction on January 18, 2019.
The auction, being held in collaboration with Mumbai-based auction house SaffronArt, is an effort to bring together the Indian and global art community to aid those affected by the disastrous Kerala floods in August of last year. All proceeds from the auction, the first of its kind to ever be held in Kerala, will be directed to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, which is working to rebuild damaged infrastructure all over the state.
Renowned artists, Indian and international, along with individual collectors, have generously contributed a wide range of modern and contemporary works to go under the hammer. An exhibition of the works is being held starting from January 5th at Bastion Bungalow, a heritage property by the sea in Fort Kochi. The preview is a great opportunity for interested art viewers, in addition to viewing the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, to see works by master artists shown in Kerala for the first time.
Artists featured in the auction include significant figures from Indian art history, like Amrita Sher-Gil, as well as contemporary masters like Anish Kapoor, A Ramachandran, Gulam Mohammed Sheikh, Anju and Atul Dodiya, Dayanita Singh, Manisha Parekh, Madhvi and Manu Parekh, Velu Viswanathan, Madhusudhanan, Shilpa Gupta, and Mithu Sen. International artists include Francesco Clemente and Robert Montgomery.
Bose Krishnamachari, President of Kochi Biennale Foundation, remarked on Kochi Biennale Foundation’s strong bond with artists fostered over the years. “Artists have shown great solidarity with our core values and ever-growing initiatives. The Art Rises for Kerala auction is a chance for the global art community to come together and stand with Kerala in its time of need. We are grateful and humbled by the warm support from the art community for our home state, and very proud to exhibit these works to a public audience.”
The Auction Preview is open to the public and will run from January 5 – 17, 10 AM – 6 PM at Bastion Bungalow, Fort Kochi. The Auction will be held on January 18, 2019 at the Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty Island. More information is available on www.kochimuzirisbiennale.org.
