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Picasso for Delhi

A MASTERPIECE A PICASSO linocut on display at the Vadehra Art Gallery

When people on the art scene of Delhi were just readying themselves to wind up their art activities, or at least slow down because of the so-called `lean period' that starts from March-April and continues till August, Vadehra Art Gallery created a stir. It brought Picasso to India. It is the first-ever endeavour by a private gallery to bring the original drawings, etchings, lithographs, linocuts, ink on paper, prints and ceramic works from 1908 to 1971 of the master artist to India. Four years ago we saw his works brought over by the National Gallery of Modern Art to a surprisingly lukewarm response by the people in and outside the arts. But this time, the wind seems to have changed direction. It is blowing towards art, and not likely to change its direction for many years to come.

Hence, the response to this exhibition, from lay viewers, the media, the art fraternity, et al is enormous. Grosvenor, who deals with interior art in London and is responsible for bringing this show to India, and who has been painstakingly procuring the works from private collections, museums and other sources, says. "I knew that Indians were taking great interest in art but didn't expect such an overwhelming response, especially from the press. This show is just to test Indian markets and hence I have brought only those works which are handy, not very expensive and are not actually among the masterpieces of the artist, except a few which are not for sale." One of these is the drawing, The Man With the Pipeworth Rs.2.25 crores.

Grosvenor informs us that works ranging from Rs.5 to 50 lakhs, which is the original price for Picasso across the world, are part of the exhibition.

Grosvenor wanted to bring Picasso's still life of the 1940s and his Hedge series of 1961, but did not, as he "wasn't sure of the Indian pulse about art". Out of all the important Indian cities he chose Delhi because "London wants to make Delhi the international hub of art, which helps it grow internationally, especially in art."

Not all the works are great, Grosvenor accepts. But the art fraternity at the gallery at D-178 Okhla Industrial Area preferred to maintain silence on this count and spoke about the "excellent drawing of the master hand". Sighs Gopi Gajwani, a veteran artist, "For a common man, his drawings are child-like. Ask me. I am an artist and even at this age, I feel I wish I could draw like him." Another senior artist echoes, "Who am I to comment on Picasso? Even if some works are said to be inferior, they are greater than us, the senior artists."

But Satish Gujral speaks his mind. "No artist is beyond criticism, and so in the case of Picasso. Once Picasso was assigned to make a mural for UNESCO. When his huge linocut in many pieces was brought and installed, after joining the pieces together, the world famous architect Aldous Huxley after seeing it, was infuriated.

He said, `This mural is rubbish. I didn't expect such work from Picasso'. But I would still say that people should stop criticising and start growing. And such efforts should continue."

RANA SIDDIQUI

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