Art without boundaries

Malini Gulrajani dabbles in art and considers it a privilege to be part of the cultural process in the UAE. “Yes, I guess somewhere there is an artist in me to be able to function in this domain. The job of working in an art gallery demands creativity,” she says.

Malini was born and brought up in India and moved to Dubai 27 years ago. “There was nothing happening in the art scene when I moved here. Operating out of a small gallery space in Satwa I started 1x1 gallery about 17 years ago. My decision to open a gallery stemmed from a love of art and access to Indian art. Since then this has been my preoccupation and my work,” she recollects.

1x1 primarily specialises in the promotion of Indian contemporary art and artists in the Middle East. Over the years, 1x1 has been through many changes that have led it to what it is today. The gallery plans to showcase international artists, curators, exhibition programmes and publications, and expand its market to other regions.

The art scene in the UAE is very vibrant and diverse, confirms Malini. Strategically located at the crossroads of the east and west, the UAE is today becoming one of the world’s powerful art centres.

“Vibrant, cosmopolitan, cross-cultural and extremely receptive, the UAE provides the perfect platform for artists and galleries to showcase their work. The building of museums and art institutions together with the growing patronage of the government and the corporate sector to support the arts provide a very solid foundation for the growth of cultural activity in the region,” she says.

Today art in general has crossed all geographical boundaries. It does not matter where the art is from.

“We in the UAE are receptive to all expressions/languages of art. Diverse mediums such as painting, photography, sculpture, video and installation are all mainstream,” Malini notes.

“One gets to experience art from all over the world and that provides an insight into different cultures and ways of thinking. Being in the art fraternity in Dubai, one gets to meet artists/curators/art lovers from all over, which is a very fruitful experience,” she adds.

India has emerged with a powerful international presence in the contemporary art world. “I do sense an extreme energy in the new generation of art happening out of India. The UAE provides a perfect platform for cultural exchange between the two countries. With the kind of exhibitions that the gallery has been bringing to Dubai — of serious artists, with important works — I consider the presence of such artistic activity in itself to be a huge contribution to art in the region,” Malini says.

The artists that Malini works with are important and worth collecting, according to her. “But finally the collector has to cultivate his/her own choice. Aiding in this process is also a part of the job of the gallery,” she says.

Indian independence means a lot to her. “I think it is a very important day for all of us Indians. It is great to be a part of a democracy and in our own small way contribute a bit to take our country forward to a better future,” she concludes.

— suchitra@khaleejtimes.com