The Fuschia Futures is a path-breaking program organized by The Fuschia Tree that showcases the works of young contemporary artists, from across the length and breadth of a country, spanning diverse genres. The 2010 edition focused on Indian contemporary art.
About The Fuschia Futures
editThe program is conducted by means of a competition, a talent search, inviting artists from all across the country to submit works, finally leading to the selection of 10 winners.
The program is the brainchild of Chanda Chaudhary Barrai, the founder of The Fuschia Tree Gallery, “The Fuschia Futures is a celebration of new talent in Indian contemporary art. The program explored a wide range of artists across our gifted country to put a spotlight on ten artists who have been recognized, purely on merit, for not only the quality of their work but also for their conceptual thinking and unique language.”
The Fuschia Tree runs specific programs in emerging art markets to present and promote exceptional, yet undervalued art to collectors worldwide. The Fuschia Tree thus charted a program which physically recruited artists from diverse locations in India, reviewed their art in minute detail, finally selecting the edgiest, most revolutionary and transformative works. The program’s aesthetic was as universal as was the process of selection: the works of art chosen are diverse, in medium and content, and range from conceptual to abstract to the traditional.
The Fuschia Futures program will run once every four years. Each edition will be conducted as a talent hunt followed by ten solo shows for winning artists held over a two year period. The Fuschia Tree also plans to run the Futures program in China, Argentina, Brazil and Middle East with China edition planned for 2012.
India Edition 2010
editThe India edition rolled out in 2010 resulted in 10 winners in total - 7 painters, 2 photographers and 1 sculptor.
Painting
- Gauri
- Koustav Nag
- Parvej Pathan
- Rajesh Kumar Ranjan
- Rakesh Ray Choudhury
- Riya Chatterjee
- Saju Kunhan
Sculpture
- Bara Babu Mahato
Photography
- Kapil Das
- Vivek Singh
This initiative promises to be revolutionary for who The Fuschia Tree believes have the potential to become a significant figure in the Indian contemporary art world. Playing the role of an alpha gallery, The Fuschia Tree will provide these ten winning artists a launch preview, a solo show each, free gallery space, access to an eclectic database, media support and, crucially, strategic counsel.
Curatorial Panel
editA jury panel was put together, with one master artist representing each genre, painting, photography and sculpture.
- Painting – Amal Ghosh
- Photography – Nrupen Madhvani
- Sculpture – KS Radhakrishnan
These curators were supported by a sub-jury panel of artists and art advisors. Each member of the sub-jury panel was put into their team based on their personal commitment and coherent understanding of The Fuschia Futures.
The Fuschia Futures Launch
editThe Fuschia Tree will host a direct and honest discussion on rebuilding credibility and excitement in the Indian contemporary art space titled 'Towards A New World'. This event will consist of a seminar led by leading players in the international art market followed by an exclusive preview of works from the winners of The Fuschia Futures at The Rooftop, The Trident in Mumbai on 12th March 2010.
Towards A New World Seminar
editA two-hour discussion starting at 6:30 pm (strictly by invitation)
An exclusive evening seminar will include knowledge driven talks and a discussion with a panel of speakers, each of who are leading experts in the art market and would provide insights into the future of contemporary Indian art, including locating, re-thinking and re-envisaging Indian art, as well as the burning question of what needs to change to make the contemporary Indian art market a transparent and more evolved space.
Moderated by:
Sharmistha Ray – artist, curator and advisor, Sharmistha has established herself as one of the foremost voices in the Indian contemporary art scene.
Speakers:
- Anders Petterson – Founder of the leading portal of art market analysis ArtTactic
- Louisa Buck – London contemporary art columnist for The Art Newspaper, and regular reviewer on BBC radio and TV
- Dr. Alka Pande – Curator of the Visual Arts Gallery at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi
- Anupa Mehta – Anupa Mehta manages a studio and art source, THE LOFT. She is an independent arts consultant and a freelance arts-writer and editor. Founder editor of Art India, she was also the contributing editor, Asian Art News and World Sculpture News, Hong Kong.
- Arshiya Lokhandwala - Arshiya is an art historian, curator and founder of Lakeeren Art Gallery in Mumbai, India. She completed her BA and MA in Sociology in 1986 and 1991 respectively.
The Fuschia Futures Preview
editThe preview showcasing works from the winners of The Fuschia Futures is a thematic representative of our times, given the current environmental crisis that all of us are enmeshed in. Towards a New World is an exhibition that will resonate with hope and a desire for pro-active change through individual engagement at all levels.
Participating artists are the ten winners of The Fuschia Futures program, each of who were selected through a diligent and rigorous process for the quality of their work, conceptual thinking and unique language.
The works promises to not only enchant its viewers through sheer diversity of medium, aesthetics and language but also engage them in a conversation on the creative, philosophical solution to our contemporary situation.