The Collector's Code

Artists to invest in, how to read works, and the exhibitions to attend this year—six female gallerists and collectors share insider advice on art

- Radhika Bhalla

JAGDIP JAGPAL

DIRECTOR, INDIA ART FAIR

“I say this all the time: Value is in the eye of the beholder, and a thing is only worth what you are prepared to pay for it,” says Jagpal, on the topic of securing a ‘good deal’ on a work of art. “I know that negotiating on a price is more common here than in some parts of the world. I just take the view that if you went into a Prada store, would you ask for a discount? No. Collectors have to ask themselves that question.”

Rather than analyzing an artwork, Jagpal looks for an emotional reaction—spiritual, inspirational, or impactful for personal reasons. “It is always very subjective,” she says. The two female artists who she is “slightly obsessed with” are Manisha Parekh and ceramicist Lubna Chowdhary, both graduates of Royal College of Art in London who employ mixed media to express themes of womanhood.

As for the young names to watch out for, on top of Jagpal’s list are Renuka Rajiv, who was a FICA Emerging Artist awardee in 2016, and Amshu Chukki “whose works remind me of the amazing props from Star Trek, which I grew up watching.”

ROSHINI VADEHRA

DIRECTOR, VADEHRA ART GALLERY

“Rather than investing in an artwork, I recommend falling in love with it,” says Vadehra, who has her heart set on two Indian artists. “Shilpa Gupta’s work is contemporary, exciting, and something that most young collectors would resonate with. She is definitely an artist worth studying, following, and collecting.”

And yet, her “all-time favorite” is the 82-year-old modernist, Arpita Singh. “The middle-aged woman, usually the protagonist in her work, challenges the notions of beauty and desire while speaking of hope, love, and violence,” she explains.