Family : Oil on canvas by Lalitha Lajmi

Ninety Artists including some established names like Lalitha Lajmi, Gopal and Uma Adivrekar, Fatima Ahmed, Kahini Arte Merchant, Suhas Bahulkar are presenting some of their works alongside fairly new painters at the Y B Chavan Art Gallery. Meher Bijlani of Artquest is an dealer from Mumbai. She has pooled in the artists under one common roof for a noble cause. Part of the proceeds will go to CRY (Child Relief and You). “One of the trustees of CRY, who’s also a friend, once suggested the idea of holding an exhibition for charity. I took to the concept and this is how I got started”, says Meher Bijlani.

It took less than a year for Bijlani to actually put up the show. “And it was not easy. I personally visited each and every artist. I invited each one of them to participate in this show.” While most artists nodded their approval almost immediately, there were few, says Bijlani, who had reservations.

“Those artists were either traveling or were caught up in their forthcoming exhibition. Besides, I was not interested in picking up discarded works, which were either too old or were not getting sold. I therefore made it a point to personally visit each and every artist, even if that meant going to Virar or Dombivli. I have selected the paintings after much pick and choose. What you seen in this exhibition are quality works,” assures Bijlani, her discerning eye for good work evident in the paintings that adorn her abode.

Sadhu1 : Oil on canvas by Prashant Hirlekar

The present exhibition has an assorted display of figuratives and abstracts. “My shows always have more paintings than they can really show. In this exhibition too, I’ve more than one painting from each artist. So this display has more than 90 paintings,” informs Bijlani. Ask her about the response she expects of the show and she tells you, “Positive. This is my first attempt at an exhibition for charity.” We guess the word ‘charity’ does the trick. “I think so. When I go to a show for a cause, it won’t pinch me if a painting cost a little extra than the market price.” As an afterthought, she adds, “Anything for art.”

John Fernandes

Artquest has organised an exhibition of the work of new and established artists to be held at the Y.B. Chavan Art Gallery from June 2-8, part of the proceeds from which will go to Child Relief and You (CRY).

The exhibition was put together by Meher Bijlani, director of Artquest. “I got in touch with a lot of artists I know, and asked them if they’d like to be part of the show,” says Meher, “I then went through their entire range of canvases before I decided what I wanted”. Since the event is in aid of a good cause, buyers are bound to be more than generous. “I remember buying a mixed media work at a ‘Sahmat’ auction for close to 12 times what it was then worth, all because it was the joint effort of nine artists against communalism”, Meher recalls. We trust, sympathy fatigue hasn’t begun to set in.

HERE'S A CHANCE TO view a wide range of works, from fairly well-known names to talented youngsters from Naina Kanodia to J.S. Munolli whose Protrait of an African is shown here. Part of the proceeds will go to CRY (Child Relief and You), the NGO that works for underprivileged children. With paintings by 90 artists on display, there's plenty to choose from.

J.S. Munolli

Jitesh Kallat

Artquest, started by Meher and HiruBijlani, is holding an exhibition on Indian Art. The showing will include works of new talented artists along with paintings of well known artists. Part of the proceeds from the exhibition will go to CRY - Child Relief and You.

At the Y B Chavan Art Gallery, next to Sachivalaya Gymkhana. On till June 8, 1998. Time : 11.00 am to 7.00 pm.