
Art Curator Ravindra Mardia, talks to Monarose Sheila Pereira about this exclusive profession
Ravindra Mardia CEO of ICAC (International Creative Art Center), is one of the few art curators of our country. Art curator is a person who manages or oversees works of art. He or she is a specialist in charge of the collections of an institute like artworks, collectibles, historic items or scientific collections. A curator decides what objects to select, conduct research on the collection, its history, advises proper packaging for art transportation and conducts exhibitions.
Ravindra is a science graduate from Wilson College, Mumbai, and studied the Art Appraisal Course with The International Society of Appraisers, USA. He specializes in identifying and promoting budding talent from all over India by providing all facilities, like art material, financial support, exhibiting their works etc. He says, “I always enjoyed art. After nearly 40 years of being a hard core industrialist, establishing and running several industries across India, I decided to retire and relax and art is gives me immense pleasure. Art is my passion and therefore ICAC was created out of a desire to give a platform for the budding artists.
Ravindra has three exhibition centers at Atria Mall, Worli, Mumbai, which is about 3000 sq ft and Antop Hill Warehousing, Wadala East, Mumbai. He also has an Artist Home – Dehgam Residency in Dehgam, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He welcomes artists and applies egalitarian standards for all those who serve Artist Home – Dehgam Residency either in a staff, volunteer, or representative capacity. Artist Home – Dehgam Residency provides decent accommodation and working spaces with essential services for artists, writers, nature photographers, film-makers and creative researchers for extended seasons of production, inspiration and collaboration.
To be an art curator, you need to have a good and thorough knowledge about the arts. Ravindra shares, “By instinct, I can judge a genuine work of art, and labor put in. I can feel the intensity of the artists’ desire, to excel and innovate. If you want to take up this profession you must feel satisfied, with what you are doing and have no expectations. Work more to help the genuine needy talented artists, have an honest heart with no discrimination of any sort, based purely on artistic capabilities. For me there is no competition! Mine is the happiest position where there is no competition, no vanity, but a calm, quiet interchange of sentiments and only pleasure. Satisfaction comes from acquiring and owning a beautiful piece of art work, at a reasonable price directly from the artist, and also creating a bond of friendship with him or her for life.”
Ravindra says, “I meet lots of artists, study their aptitude, and guide them either directly or through my other senior artists friends. I pay a lot of attention in promoting an artist, their write ups, contacting buyers to buy their art works, sending them to various art camps and art residencies, giving exposure to today’s art world. Several students are in association with us, but majority of them take interest only after their graduation or post graduation. We cannot fully cater to all, but can guide them.”