By Viju Mangalore
Mangalore, May 18: The best of the city never stay back. Instead they are always on a search for greener pastures. The same is the case of artists. While most of them reach Bangalore where there are ample opportunities, Mangalore remains failed in holding them back.
Job opportunities for an artist need to be in an environment where there is adequate awareness on art. The vacuum created due to the dearth of a forum for artists, which provides them exposure and also income, is now filled in Mangalore.
A daring venture by city-based artist Jagadish Ammunje has turned into a boon to the artists. His Jagat Art and Craft Gallery opened recently is the only of its kind in the coastal region where job opportunities for artists, exposure/recognition and respect for their work is ensured.
Situated in Shah complex at Bendorewell the gallery includes special features in terracotta like ethic jewellery, murals, mask, decorative items, paintings in acrylic, oil and water colour (both traditional and creative), outdoor and indoor murals of terracotta, fibre, cement and glazed tiles.
“It’s a venture, a great risk taken only with the intension of providing opportunities to the native artists and creating awareness among the people about art,” said Jagadish who has been one of the highly reputed self trained artist with no formal training in the art.
“We design, manufacture various kinds of artistic items which are made from clay, fibre, cement, plaster of Paris, paper and colour. These items are put on sale here,” he said.
A manufacturing centre attached to the gallery is the power house were a team of 12-15 artists join hands in the design and production processes. Jagadish uses the finest of clay of the coastal belt and natural colours.
A visit to the gallery will open up a world of art where there is no restriction to caste, creed, religion, sex or language.
Any artist is welcome here. The gallery will be open for any artist, who can display his/her works free of charges.
It took nearly three years for Jagadish to bring to shape the gallery which today stands as a forum for artists of the city and around. Jagadish has a bigger picture in mind- an art school and a Kala Grama (Artists Village). Although money would be the main hitch in realizing this dream, Jagadish intends to organize regular camps, workshops, tours for the development of aesthetic sense among people especially children.
Once the Kala Grama is set up, he plans to bring artists, painters, sculptures and weavers to manufacture and sell their products there. Training for professional artists and budding artists will be imparted here and the Kala Grama will be transformed into a centre for disseminating awareness on art.
The first step toward this has been the gallery at Bendorewell which will be open from 9 am to 8 pm everyday.
More number of art galleries should originate in the region which should help the native artists to develop good rapport with local people in order to empower themselves economically and to buy art pieces in their own city.
Jagadish’s venture paves the way!