Art moves north with new Bandra gallery

When it comes to art galleries, the suburbs have the quantity but not the clout.

When it comes to art galleries, the suburbs have the quantity but not the clout.

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To change this, the Bombay Arts Society, a non-profit group managing Jehangir Art Gallery at Kala Ghoda, is planning an equivalent gallery in Bandra.

“It’s a big deal for an artist to showcase at Jehangir and it’s unlikely that a new venue will dim its prestige. We are hoping this new gallery will make the suburbs the city’s new art hub,” said Vitthal Lokhandkar, chairman, BAS.

South Mumbai has 30 galleries and the suburbs 35. But the 58-year-old Jehangir gallery remains one of the most prestigious exhibiting spaces.

“There is a four- to five-year wait for a show at Jehangir. The new space will give us a chance to showcase emerging artists,” said Lokhandkar.

Proposed names for the gallery at the MHADA ground in Bandra Reclamation include Mumbai Arts Sankul and Mumbai Kala Sankul.

The complex will house three exhibiting spaces, each of which will be double the average size of the galleries at Jehangir. The six-floor gallery — likely to be ready in a year — will have an auditorium, an art supplies shop, a library, conference halls, a cafeteria, a mini-theatre and rooms for overseas artists.