Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 700 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.

Based in Singapore, Mayinart is a platform to promote art from India and Indonesia (see our coverage of its earlier exhibitions here). It was founded by Krish Datta and Avik Bandyopadhyay. Formerly an IT executive with Tech Mahindra, Avik switched tracks to pursue his love for art.

MayinArt is launching a show at the American Club in Singapore next month, titled From Abstract to Realism: Discover your art personality!

“Abstract art is gaining popularity in Asia. As the name suggests, it is an abstraction of ideas and experiences with few or no recognisable objects, giving the viewers freedom of interpretation,” Avik explains, in a chat with YourStory.

Surrealism includes recognisable objects. “But it moves away from traditional interpretations and conventional methods,” he adds. Realism continues to have followers and loyalists enticed by the keen attention to detail and the ability of the artist to capture real life on canvas.

“The exhibits will showcase Indian, Indonesian and Singapore Artists across various ages who are active and evolving, both in their technique and finesse,” Avik explains. The lineup includes young talents as well as established artists, in a wide range of styles.

“The range of genres will help viewers discern their own passion and inclination to art styles and discover their individual art personality,” he affirms.

The upcoming exhibition in July features 22 artists. The Indian lineup includes Abhijit Paul, Madan Lal, Saumya Bandyopadhyay, Subir Dey, and Shan Re. Artists Anjum Motiwala and Megha Sharma Singh are based in Singapore.

The Indonesian lineup features Bagus Triyono, Bawep Kapalatama, Budi Eka Putra, Budi Ubrux, Deddy PAW, Elisa Faustina, Fatoni Makturodi, Giring Prihatyasono, Kartika Affandi, Layong Jingga Probo, Mulyo Gunarso, Nurfu Ad, Sri Pramono, Suryadi Suyamtina, and Suryo.

Over 50 artworks will be on display. Some of the artists’ works are featured in this photo essay, with permission from the organisers.

Avik is proud of his team’s journey, particularly through the tough patch of the pandemic. Its debut show in 2020 was at Ion Orchard Singapore, with the theme If walls could speak.

“It was a resounding success in terms of sales, media coverage, brand building, and boosting public perception of MayinArt’s reputation,” Avik proudly recalls.

Then the pandemic hit. “Although it hampered art sales for us and the rest of the world, it did not dampen our spirits. We quickly reordered ourselves and held a hybrid show in Jogjakarta,” he says.

The exhibition was titled Ataraxia, which means the ability to maintain a calm and balanced state of mind in times of crisis and uncertainty.

Its aim was to present a curation to elevate the energy of home and office spaces. “Our curators chose bright and vibrant works that could provide that burst of creativity and inspiration, that was otherwise taken away from us due to lockdowns and socialising restrictions,” Avik explains.

Due to shipping restrictions during that period, most artworks were sold within Indonesia only. “We also held a few purely online exhibitions through VR technology, though sales were few and far between,” he says.

The next show in 2021 was at the American Club, titled Discover the undiscovered. “By this time, our curation had become stronger and diverse with the discovery of a few fantastic new-age young artists,” Avik enthuses.

This show was successful as well. “As a gallery and a curatorial team, nothing gives more pleasure than the reassurance that we had read the pulse of the audience and presented to them the best possible experience,” he says.

“Curation is an editorial process. It’s a mix of art and science. It requires a clear and definable voice, an editorial mission, and an understanding of your audience and community,” Avik explains. The exhibition should have harmony as well.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the art world, including art exhibitions. “It saw the closure of museums, galleries, and other art spaces. Many exhibitions had to be cancelled, postponed, or moved to virtual formats to comply with social distancing measures and other safety protocols,” Avik recalls.