Subodh Gupta in art war with NGMA

After his artwork Hungry God went unsold at Sotheby’s auction recently, artist Subodh Gupta, says he is not a seller, but rather a creator.

After his artwork Hungry God went unsold at Sotheby’s auction recently, artist Subodh Gupta, 47, says he is not a seller, but rather a creator. “I’m not bothered about the auction. My job is to make art, not buy and sell it,” says Gupta.

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In an earlier interview to Andpersand magazine for its June-July issue, Gupta’s artist-wife Bharti Kher had said, “Where are the museums? National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) is defunct, there is no cultural policy, there hasn’t been a single show of Indian contemporary art at what you call a museum.” Gupta adds, “Why can’t the museums invite us to show our work? They should take the lead in displaying the immense talent we have in our country.”

However, NGMA director Rajeev Lochan says, “The presentation of modern and contemporary art is very much on the agenda of NGMA and earnest efforts are being made in that direction. Recently, the National Apex Committee has approved a joint exhibition of eminent modern and contemporary artists of India in which Gupta has already been invited and a response from him is still awaited.”