Architect Abhinaya Rangarajan started The Artist Project to help rural artisans connect with urban folks and promote their products. During the pandemic, some of the artists got in touch with Abhinaya and informed her of their plight.
(Left) Painting for auction(Right) Artisan at work (Inset) Abhinaya Rangarajan
Chennai:
These artisans who are heavily relying on tourists and footfall didn’t have any income for the past 5-6 months. “Artist’s grassroots business model predominantly deploys small workshops or pushcarts, with their sales heavily relying on footfall, which is now absent. When I heard about the situation of artists, I decided to financially help them. I thought an art auction would be the best way to raise funds. When I launched the auction, eight up and coming artists came forward and contributed their works. All the proceeds raised from the auction will be given to the rural artisans,” says Abhinaya.
The pictures of paintings or artworks that are up for auction are shared on social media. “We also mention all the details of the artwork and opening bid. The online auction will be there for three days and on the third day, it will be sold to the highest bidder.”
Sharan Apparao, founder and director of Apparao Galleries, says, “Fourteen art galleries from the country have come together and started a platform called TAP India to promote the works of artists. During the lockdown, I realised we all needed a collective effort and that was how the idea of this platform was born. The idea behind TAP INDIA is to have a one-stop platform to collaborate and present a varied collection. It will certainly be a treat for collectors and those looking to understand more about what to buy. Pictures of the artwork along with all the details and a short profile of the artist are also mentioned.”