COLUMNS > ETHEL DA COSTA
Goan Art Seeks A Future
By Ethel Da Costa
Goan art is under attack. Sadly, not from a lack of creativity or potential - despite a need for control on mediocrity -- but on account of a lack of priority requiring a serious re-think to promote talented Goan artists on a wider, bigger, competitive, national and international platform.
Invited last month to open a young artists exhibition forum held at the Myriad Art Gallery in Panjim, I could not help but wonder aloud at the direction the art industry in Goa was heading towards. So much talent, so much promise, but where would it all lead? Would they be struggling for the next ten years to make a living off their talent, or forced to leave Goan shores to find their future? Despite concerted efforts by private individuals, art patrons, corporates and the Kala Academy to support the art movement in Goa and provide consistent platforms (and sales) for the development of the artist community, would it all come to nothing without a consolidated artist movement to support careers to reach full bloom? Goa abounds with many recognised art galleries. But, what is their role in working towards establishing a consolidated strong market to boost consistency, and in turn encourage more artists to embrace a life of art? Established Goan artists believe sustained support, long term planning, vision and marketing by the government could result in providing a lifeline for Goan art and in turn, help boost art tourism. "A need for good institutions, committed people passionate about art and seriousness in purpose," artists reckon, "is the need of the hour." That's where the Monsoon Art Festival (Aug 21-25) at the Kala Academy hoped to step in and make a contribution. Fuelled by the desire to get the talented art fraternity together (even if we had to begin small) supported by the largesse of art patrons in Goa, we hope this is the first of the many more to come. It is faith and sheer support which has resulted in bringing together the best Goa has to offer in terms of talent, potential, creativity and market. Artists like Antonio E Costa, Suhas Shilker, Anand Mohan Naik, Francis De Sousa, Mohan Naik, Hanuman Kambli, Vamona Anant Navelkar, Subodh Kerkar, Alexyz, Nirupama Naik, Yolanda De Souza, Apoorva Kulkarni, Sanjay Harmalkar, Harshada Kerkar, Tanya Mendonca, Viraj Naik, Pradeep Naik, Vitesh Naik, Rajendra Usapkar, Santosh Morajkar, Chaitali Morajkar, Shilpa Mayekar Naik, Siddharth Gosavi, Hitesh Pankar, N Kanhaiya and S Chewandkar do us proud, making the sweat worth it. The exhibition was also a rare occasion for the people of Goa to witness the mastery of works created by nationally and internationally acclaimed and practicing artists living in Goa. The art works represent a wide variety of techniques and subjects demonstrating the depth of creative resource which exists in Goa and which deserves the full support of the Govt.
Fortunately, good news seems to loom large with a change of guard at the Adil Shah's Palace and the government's decision to give the Old Secretariat a change of role. However, artist Yolanda de Souza says, "A call for discussion and debate in deciding the future course of the art community, vis-�-vis the revamping of the Secretariat as the Art & Culture Centre, is imperative. We need more private participation and less government interference in it's functioning," she emphasises. "We perceive a centre for Art & Culture, the kind of which is not seen anywhere in India. If given proper thought and conceived well, it can definitely be unique even in the whole of Asia. The possibilities to create an Art & Culture Centre of substance is not impossibility. Yes, it needs a Herculean effort. The hugeness of the task can be made effortless if the right criteria is followed. The right people appointed to the right post. In other words, a team of qualified personnel with a passion for art, to exclusively run a project of this magnitude is a must, if we want to meet our goal of creating a space that would be unique in India, and perhaps even in Asia. We must believe in perfection. In what is the right thing to do," Yolanda states.
Supported by the Govt of Goa and art patrons like Shrinivas Dempo, Dinar Tarcar, Pratapsingh Rane -- personalities recognised for their support of the arts - we would like to extend this invitation to the people of Goa to step forward, come see and work towards platforms that encourage creative growth on our own home soil. Support those who want to make their mark.
Provide a shoulder to those who are creatively different. Fuel the dreams of the youth with a dose of positive thinking so that they seek no shortcuts to fame. With your participation and support, this would provide a fillip in taking Goa a long way. (ENDS)
The above article appeared in the August 20, 2006 edition of the Herald, Goa
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