Kalpana Shah: I didn't have a business plan, I just wanted to enjoy the journey of art

Mumbai's Tao Art Gallery founder and artist Kalpana Shah is having a solo exhibition after a decade, at Art Space, Singapore, till January 7, 2024.

Art connoisseur, curator and artist Kalpana Shah is having a solo exhibition after a decade. Around 23 years ago she established Mumbai's Tao Art Gallery, and since then has rubbed shoulders with some of the most popular artists in our country including MF Husain, FN Souza, B Prabha, SH Raza, Anjolie Ela Menon, Akbar Padamsee and others. A self-taught artist, she is intuitive and passionate about art and that comes across beautifully when she talks about art. Excerpts from an interview:

Artist Kalpana Shah.

It's been a while since your last solo show—what led to this extended gap before showcasing your artworks?

During the Covid pandemic, while the world was in lockdown, I found that my creativity was at its peak. Fortunately, my family and I didn't experience the negative effects of the situation. Instead, we embraced the opportunity to be in our own space and found joy in it. It was during this time that I was approached by a gallery for a solo show, which was a dream come true for me. The theme of the show was "Universe," inspired by my meditative nature and my fascination with the cosmic world. I found myself visualizing the artworks and even discovered a new medium to express my creativity. Being self-taught, I don't limit myself when it comes to exploring new ideas and mediums. I'm a focused person, which helps me organize my thoughts and bring them to life. I didn't push myself to think about where to show my work; I believed that opportunities would follow, and they have. My work is being featured in an upcoming auction, and there are plans for a solo show at the Museum in Calcutta.

With over two decades in this field, you have gathered many memories and have interesting anecdotes about the master artistes. We'd love to hear about your most memorable exhibition.

One of the most memorable experiences for me was curating a landmark show for Tao’s first anniversary. It remains one of the best and most memorable shows to this day because it featured the Masters. I was deeply moved by their stories and each modernist contributed two works from the 1950s and two from the 2000s, as they had been working for over 50 years. This was in 2001! They were excited about the idea of showing together, as it had been their dream but had never happened before. They appreciated the fresh perspective of a new gallery owner curating such shows and fully supported me. Hussain Saab designed the catalogue, and Krishen Khanna wrote for it, as we wanted a writer who had experienced the era of their struggle and youth and understood their individual styles. The show made me famous overnight, which was surprising because I had curated it from my heart without expecting it to be the talk of the town. Overnight, it changed Tao’s profile, and it was very welcoming. The conversations I had with these masters and the planning process remains unforgettable to this day.

Artist Kalpana Shah with her daughter Sanjana Shah, creative director, Tao Art Gallery.

What motivated you to establish Tao Art Gallery?

Art has always been a part of my life, even from a young age when I started as a small collector. I always felt like an artist at heart, but having a gallery was my dream. I wanted to be surrounded by art and artists, as art has always spoken to me. Fortunately, I have been able to appreciate a wide variety of art. Without Tao, I would have limited my life as an artist. Opening a gallery without any prior experience was a leap of faith, but I was supported by my husband, who saw my passion. I didn't have a business plan; I just wanted to enjoy the journey of art, meeting more artists, and experiencing different artworks. I used to visit museums abroad, and I realised that opening a gallery would give me the satisfaction I was seeking. The name "Tao" also has a reason behind it. I read "Tao: The Three Treasures" by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh when I was 20 or 21, and that philosophical influence stayed with me. It came to fruition when I was 40 and decided to open the gallery. Despite coming from a Gujarati business family with no background in art, I felt a strong urge to express myself through art. It's like a god’s gift, a natural inclination towards art. I found my way to express myself through the gallery, hosting book launches, poetry readings, installation art, and various other forms of artistic expression. The gallery has a lot to offer to people and can enhance their lives.

Artist Kalpana Shah with Audrey Yeo, president of the Art Gallery Association of Singapore.

Her show, 'My Universe', is on at Art Space in Singapore and will be on till Sunday, January 07, 2024