TG LIFE
In 2017, MOG launched Goa Affordable Art Fest (GAAF) an initiative to provide quality art at affordable prices with the objective to enthuse people from all walks of life to appreciate, connect and collect art. Conceptualized and founded by Siddharth Kerkar and Subodh Kerkar, this fest brings together and encourages emerging artists, art collectors and investors from all parts of the country. The application is open to everybody irrespective of their age and experience, with no application fee whatsoever.
GAAF follows a rigorous process of selection wherein, first, artists are invited to apply and submit their art work, which then goes through a jury before they are finally selected to be a part of the fest. This process thus ensures that only quality art is displayed priced between a range of Rs 3000 and Rs 100000 to make it affordable and accessible to a larger, newer and budding investor market.
The art is exhibited at the Museum of Goa for a period of two months. Experienced curators and gallerists Peter Muller and Erica Plate from the Galerie Müller & Plate, Munich Germany have been resident curators for GAAF for the past 2 editions. They look at GAAF as a great platform for both new artists and young collectors. They say, ‘MoG and GAAF are institutions that do what they do for the genuine love of art.
When Sidhharth saw the festival in UK, and thought of bringing it to Goa, he did so in the most Goan way possible. This was probably why a festival this young was well received by artists and public alike. This young festival has room for a lot of innovation and growth. We have selected a number of innovative artworks for GAAF 2018 and are very excited to see them in flesh on 8 December.’ Curated by Dr Subodh Kerkar and Peter Muller, GAAF 2017 received over 1000 applications and sold a large number of art works.
GAAF 2017 was successful in providing a platform for the emerging artists of the country to exhibit alongside established names in the field like Sudhir Patwardhan and Riyas Komu. The choices of the curated works were endorsed by notable art collectors such as Abhishek Poddar and the Alkazi Foundation. For many artists, the sale of their works at GAAF was the first sale of their career. Overall GAAF 2017 had a footfall of over 15,000 people including art collectors, art enthusiasts and a sizable percentage of first-time collectors. It was inaugurated by eminent author Padma Shri Amitav Ghosh. The opening night, full of music, performance, dance, art and celebration enjoyed a footfall of 500 people.
Following the success of GAAF 2017, MOG has launched GAAF 2018 to continue its endeavor to take contemporary art to much larger audiences and create an inclusive space for everyone to appreciate art.
Resident GAAF Curator Subodh Kerkar says, ‘With over 680 applications, GAAF put Goa at the center stage of national art dialogue. The work displayed at GAAF has permeated through the fine sieve of three experienced art curators giving you high quality art to choose from.’ With more than 680 entries from all over the country, GAAF 2018 will showcase the artworks of 78 selected artists and some invited artists all priced between Rs 3000 and Rs 100000. This year the Fest will be inaugurated on 8 December 2018 by Ashok Vajpeyi at Museum of Goa. The evening will be full of music, food, drinks, performance art and will be graced by esteemed guests from all over the world. GAAF 2018 will stay open till January 31.
GAAF over the last two years has established itself as a brand which not only supports and promotes quality art but also adheres by the principle of making it affordable and accessible to all. We believe that we need to create more democratic and inclusive spaces that nurture young talent and help them grow in an ever-competitive market. Over the next few years, we wish to take this Fest beyond Goa and create state chapters across the country, thus contributing to the movement of taking art to the masses.
