Aparajita Jain is passionate about supporting emerging South Asian and international talents. She is also the creative force behind Saat Saath Foundation, India’s first international sculpture park in Jaipur. In addition, she is an entrepreneur and the founder of blockchain-based platform Terrain.art, which partnered with MAP Academy on the first-ever online course on modern and contemporary Indian art.
LARRY’S LIST had the pleasure to chat with Aparajita, who shared about her latest purchase of artworks by artists Sagarika Sundaram and Vibha Ghalotra, the considerations that guide her when collecting art, the importance of speaking to artists she collects, as well as her motivations for establishing the Saat Saath Arts Foundation (SSA).
Collecting
What made you want to start collecting art? What is the main motivation behind your collecting?
I come from a family of art collecting. It was a natural progression for me. I was entirely bored with all types of consumption and wanted to have more conversations. My interest in psychology, philosophy and general love for all things beautiful catapulted me into collecting. Fortunately, I was supported by my husband who loves to collect as well. I have thought of what motivates me a lot. I believe in our region of South Asia – 90% of my collection is from artists from our region. I appreciate artists whose works and practices will make art history, and that is a huge motivation for me.
When did you fall in love with a piece of art? What was it?
My love affair with art began at the age of 14. I fell deeply in love with Water Lilies by Monet. It remains my first love. My school principal introduced us to Impressionism and the art of seeing. I am so grateful I got to learn under her. It’s quite amazing how powerful passionate teaching is – and how it helped spark my love for art.
What is your focus regarding the artists in your collection? Are you more interested in local or international, emerging or renowned artists?
I started off with just collecting contemporary South Asian artists, which led to going backwards to collecting Modern art in India, and now I feel very excited about international contemporaries and Impressionists. I don’t think I want to have a specific goal in mind. Works I can’t stop thinking about are the ones I like to buy. In our collection, we have Subodh Gupta, Bharti Kher, Thukral & Tagra, Dayanita Singh, Jitish Kallat, Reena Kallat, Tanya Goel, Asim Waqif, Ayesha Singh, Alicja Kwade, Camille Pissaro, Renoir and now a Degas. I’m missing many!
What is the theme that unites all the works you have acquired?
I don’t have a particular theme, I instinctively prefer minimal work; however, my collection is varied.
What were the latest artworks you purchased?
Our daughter collects as well. The money she has saved, she has chosen to buy art with it. She has just finished her Masters at Sotheby’s and is rather obsessed with Impressionism. The last artwork we purchased was a Renoir. We bought a canvas at auction. Around the same time, we bought a work by Sagarika Sundaram and Vibha Ghalotra.
How many artworks do you own? Where do you display your collection?
Our collection is mostly at our home or in storage. I wish I could display all of it, but it’s hard to display 100+ works.
Have you ever presented your art collection publicly?
I have thought about it, but the collection needs to be a lot more robust for it to be shown publicly. We buy art on a personal level and often feel quite private about it. Having said that, perhaps we will do this in the next 10 years.
What considerations guide you to make a purchase?
I’m guided by the artist’s content, their integrity of practice, their command on the form and material, and my continued interest in the work.
What kind of artwork can make you write a cheque without any consideration?
I’m not sure I would buy anything without consideration. If money was infinite, I would buy a lot more international work.
What is your most treasured artwork?
Currently, I would have to say my Bharti Kher. I have loved it for 10 years, and I love it more every day.
How important is it for you to meet the artists who created the artwork? Any memorable moments to share from your interactions with various artists?
I do work in art, and hence, I know a lot of the artists I have bought. Speaking to the artists is perhaps my favourite thing to do. I enjoy studios visits and the time I spend with them there. I have learnt a lot from Subodh Gupta, Bharti Kher and Jitish Kallat. Speaking to them reminds me why I love what I do.
The Art World
What’s your art-world pet peeve?
The desire to not acknowledge money. I really get bothered by it. I think money isn’t a bad word or bad thing. I don’t like the strife around money and the artworld in general.
Who inspires you the most in the art world?
One who has freedom of thought and ability to imagine futures.
Can you name three emerging artists from India who should be on our radar?
Tanya Goel, Martand Khosla, and Ayesha Singh.
Saat Saath Arts Foundation (SSA) and sculpture park
What motivated you to establish the Saat Saath Arts Foundation (SSA)?
Firstly, I deeply love the arts. Secondly, I recognize our country has many gaps, and hence in a deep desire to fill those gaps in whatever possible format – I began the Foundation. Essentially, we do two things through it:
- We give grants to curators to come to India and do research
- Run the Sculpture Park in Jaipur. I believe we have to both work on the soft power of India as well as increase awareness about contemporary art through India.
How was the experience of setting up the first international sculpture park in India in 2017?
It was rather heady. It happened because Malvika Singh approached us, and somehow the universe conspired to make it happen. We all desired to see something more from India, and here we are in 2024! It’s still going on. I am so thrilled we are able to make a small impact on our ecosystem.
Instagram: @aparajita_jain, @saatsaatharts
A selection of artists Aparajita collects:
Alicja Kwade
Jitish Kallat
Kamrooz Aram
Shanti Dave
Subodh Gupta
By Ricko Leung
