Collecting Emerging Artists: Stories of Discovery and Patronage

SRISHTI ART presents Collecting Emerging Artists: Stories of Discovery and Patronage — a compelling panel discussion exploring the journeys of discovering, supporting, and collecting emerging contemporary artists in India. Bringing together collectors, patrons, and voices from the art ecosystem, the conversation reflects on what draws collectors to young artistic practices, the evolving landscape of contemporary art patronage, and the meaningful relationships that develop between artists and collectors over time. The panel featured: • Amit Kumar Jain • Jaiveer Johal • Varunika Saraf Moderated by Lakshmi Nambiar. Amit Kumar Jain has contributed to leading institutions like MAP Bengaluru, Saffronart, and Devi Art Foundation. He holds an MA in Museum and Gallery Practice from University College London and a BFA from the College of Art, New Delhi. His expertise continues to shape contemporary art spaces and champion emerging artists in India through his newest venture Interspace. Jaiveer Johal is a collector of modern and contemporary Indian art with a special interest in the decorative and textile traditions of South India and the Deccan. Based in Chennai, he is the founder of the Avtar Foundation for the Arts and a patron of several art initiatives across India. Dr. Varunika Saraf is an artist and art historian based in Hyderabad. Her work has been exhibited internationally at institutions including the Blaffer Art Museum, Heidelberger Kunstverein, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, Sharjah Biennale 15 and the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art as part of the Asia Pacific Triennial 15. Saraf is the recipient of the Asia Society’s Asia Arts Future Award and the Amol Vadehra Art Grant. She has held research fellowships at the Getty Research Institute, the Max-Planck Institute, the V&A Museum, and the Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Cambridge. Saraf holds a PhD and an MPhil in Visual Studies from JNU, and an MFA in Painting from the University of Hyderabad. This discussion was hosted as part of SRISHTI ART’s continued engagement with conversations around contemporary art, collecting cultures, and emerging artistic practices. Subscribe to our channel for more artist talks, walkthroughs, exhibitions, and conversations from the world of contemporary art.