This is the very first appearance on a public platform of Saloni Doshi’s diverse collection, amassing to an enchanting grouping that excites the soul. This largely includes contemporary Indian art in the form of painting, photography, sculpture and etchings, as well as furniture and special home accessories. Saloni has also extensively collected traditional Indian art forms like Gond, Khalighat and Tanjore. Saloni is very active, thoroughly traveling the international art world, to train her eye and fulfil her knowledge and curiosity for beyond her base, returning home to support young artists and production, where art patronage and collecting is certainly not common-place.

In 2009 in the industrial heart of Bombay, Saloni founded Space118, as an independent initiative to provide emerging artists from India and all over the world with studios and a residency program, amounting now to over 350 artists. Space118 operates with four key values- experimentation, openness, experience and collaboration- where in South-Asian countries, there is no council funding and no government funding for residences at all. The simple fact is, without private patrons in India like Saloni, not much is going to happen.

Not missing the chance to somehow mimic her international explorations by actively engaging in online viewing rooms (and loving it), Saloni communicated her insights to us, surrounding the outcome of the Covid-crisis:

“As a collector, globally, during periods of great uncertainty, many people cut discretionary spending to save funds in case of emergency—and that means money for art purchases are among the first to dry up. But for those who are able, continuing to collect presents multiple potential upsides. The first and foremost is that buying art supports the art world. Whether it’s primary sales (which in part go directly to artists) or secondary market purchases, it’s a very real way of ensuring that the people and businesses who make up the art industry are able to survive.

With social distancing becoming our new normal, the art trade will be fully online for the foreseeable future. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing: digital platforms like Whatsapp, Facebook and Instagram have come a long way since 2008, offering greater accessibility and transparency to collectors than ever before.

As an art patron and founder of Space118, when COVID-19 ends, arts residencies will play a critical role in the re-emergence of national and international exchange. In this moment of pause, there is no better time to connect with your peers, be part of a network, and continue capacity building through digital learning.”

– Saloni Doshi

Following next in this Online Exhibition, we present selected artworks from Saloni Doshi’s private collection, offering a visual interplay with our current time.