Art Curatorship as a Career Option

By Radhika

Photography: Courtesy the Curator

Myth-Reality, Constructing Cult-u're; 2011

Art curatorial studies are a lesser known aspect of art education, which have been gaining momentum in the last few years.  With fine art in India breaking fresh ground in terms of outreach and maturity, guiding an informed art exhibition rather than merely putting together a show is a field that needs serious looking- into.

Art curator Veerangana Solanki, 28, a Master in History of Art pursued the first Gwanju Biennale International Curator course and has been curating shows for many art galleries and organizations in the city of Mumbai.

Census of Sense 2011 - work Soazic Guezennic

A graduate in English Literature with post-graduate diplomas in Indian Aesthetics and Art Criticism and Theory, Veerangana has made a name for herself as a promising young curator, who is known to present impressive contemporary art exhibitions. She is the recipient of the first IllySustainArt Curator’s prize (2011) and the 1st Annual ALICE (Artistic Landmark in Contemporary Experience) Public’s Voice Award 2012 for best Emerging Curator.

Veerangana Solanki

Although Veeranagana’s are nascent steps into the unfathomable realm of art, which can never really be wholly comprehended or predicted, her role as a successful emerging curator depicts the strength of her convictions, her inward-looking abilities and  her dedication to her subject.

Charwei Tsai, 2011

India Art n Design talks to this young achiever about the lesser known realm of art curatorship:

1.         What prompted you to pursue a career in curatorial practice?

I began by first researching under the guidance of Dr. Saryu Doshi and Mrs. Pheroza Godrej, after which I worked on the curatorial team at Bodhi Art Gallery in Mumbai. Having worked with artists and exhibition display, I could combine research, writing and curating and thereby pursue this further.

The Contemporary Sultanate, Exhibit 320, 2012; work by Zuleikha Chaudhari

2.         After 7 years in the field, what is that one thing you wish you could have learnt as a student, which should have been part of your syllabus?

It is a constant learning process; at every stage, there's always something learnt that one wishes they'd known earlier.

The Contemporary Sultanate,  Installation View, Exhibit 320, 2012

3.         Two do’s that you could share with a student aspiring to pursue art curatorship?

1. Research, write, and know

2. Keen attention to the artist's works and to the audience’ response as a curator

Feminine Recitals, Exhibit 320, 2010; Work by Koumudi Patil

4.        Two don’ts that you could share with a student aspiring to pursue art curatorship?

 1. Overcrowd - less is often more

2. Complicate - it might lose the concept of the exhibition or of certain works

The Contemporary Sultanate,  Exhibit 320, 2012