It took us some time getting here. Getting to what you are seeing now. But it all started with asking the right questions. And finding their answers. That was the difficult part. The rest was just blood, sweat and coffee.
So what were those questions? Well, here’s a sampling:
IS ART ONLY MEANT FOR A SELECT FEW? IF NOT, WHAT'S STOPPING EVERYONE FROM JOINING IN?
And more importantly, do questions like these even matter?
Seems like they do. To us at least. And to all those who were kind and gracious enough to interact with us over the past few months. As we went about our lives with these questions firmly entrenched in our frowns, the answers slowly revealed themselves. They inspired us, pushed us and prodded us to ask even more questions.
And what is it that we have learnt till now? Here it is, in a humble nutshell:
ART IS ESSENTIAL
On a daily basis, we tussle so much with our necessities and indulgences that something like art always ends up as a low priority, an afterthought. But the truth is that art is essential to life. And the effect that it has when we expose ourselves to it, surround ourselves with it, immerse ourselves in it is invaluable.
ART IS PERSONAL
Don’t let anyone tell you what good or bad art is. It’s not design. It’s not universal. Art is extremely personal. If it speaks to you, if it appeals to you, if it evokes a feeling in you that you can’t express in words, it means you’ve found what you’d been looking for.
ART SHOLD BE ACCESSIBLE
Art is not just meant for galleries. Or for the living rooms of a select few. Art should be affordable, and accessible. If you want to bring art into your life, you shouldn’t need a fortune. All you should need, is intent.
ART NEEDS YOU
Artists are humans. They have needs too. And, if given a choice, they would prefer to give as much time as possible to honing their craft and expression. But in the absence of patronising kings and noblemen, that choice is hardly ever presented to them. We wish to free artists from such constraints. And we need you by our side to make it happen.
SO THAT, SORT OF, IS THE 'WHY' OF US.
As we stand here on Day One, we find ourselves nervous, excited, exhausted and weirdly happy. Our heads are swirling with plans, ideas, balance sheets and, of course, more questions. But we know that this is a start. And it’s going to be quite a ride going forward.
Join in.