Shape shifters: Sculptures take center stage in the art world

Economic Times

26-04-2025

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What's an estimate in the art world? Turns out it's just a polite suggestion.As per the Indian Art Investor 2024-25 Art Market Report, the sale of Indian Modern and Contemporary art at auctions globally clocked in at Rs 1,016 crore.But, while paintings are breaking records, there's one segment that's quietly on carving out a space of its own — sculptures. 'Sculpture has been a somewhat neglected medium that is now beginning to get its due from collectors,' says Ashish Anand of art gallery DAG.Since 2022, experts say that there has been a noticeable increase in both interest and sales volume. Auction house results reflect a clear upward shift as well. 'There has been a 20–30% rise in the number of sculptures offered in auctions since 2017,' shares Manoj Mansukhani, CMO, AstaGuru Auction House.'Sculptures are now more frequently crossing their high estimates, indicating that buyers are not only showing more interest, but are also willing to invest significantly.' Rahul Khanna of Palette Art Gallery adds that over the past few years, they have seen 'a 30– 40% rise in the average selling price of sculptures'.An entrepreneur and art collector who recently picked up two Himmat Shah creations says, 'Shah was an artist of tremendous depth and one of India's pioneering sculptors with stunning creations. Buying his works was an easy decision, including from an investment perspective, as there is great relative value at his current prices and financial upside in the near future.'Some sculptures tip the scales at tonnes, making them awe-inspiring but not exactly easy to live with.'Shipping and handling are definitely more complex with sculptures. But once someone connects with the piece, those challenges become secondary,' explains fashion designer and artist Jenjum Gadi.'For collectors concerned about weight or space, there are several alternatives. Tabletop sculptures are ideal for shelves and consoles, while wall-mounted relief sculptures combine the spatial depth of sculpture with the convenience of wall art. Many contemporary artists now create modular or sectional works that can be assembled on site,' says AstaGuru's Mansukhani.Sculptors are working with fibreglass, resin, paper pulp and mixed media materials that capture the visual gravitas of stone or metal, but without the accompanying logistical challenges. This allows for more fluid forms and contemporary finishes.The exponential increase in wealth in India helps. Damian Vesey, director, international specialist, South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art at Christie's, says that the market is clearly being led by Indian collectors — including the diaspora. 'We're also seeing that more people are comfortable living with large sculptures, even in urban homes,' he says. International exposure through art fairs, biennales and museum retrospectives — like Mrinalini Mukherjee's exhibition at the Met Breuer — has raised awareness and appreciation for Indian sculptors. Social media has also amplified this trend. Artist Narayan Biswas believes that the pandemic has had a role. 'The stillness of lockdown allowed many artists to return to traditional, tactile mediums — embracing the slow, grounding nature of sculpture.'With modern architecture leaning into open plans, vast glass panels and minimal partitions, traditional wall art isn't the only option, there are more adaptable forms of expression — sculptures included.> Palette Art Gallery's Rahul Khanna and Rohit Gandhi share, 'We've seen a growing desire among collectors, architects and designers to incorporate sculptural works as focal points, be it a bold piece in a double-height living room, a quiet installation in an atrium, or an outdoor form nestled in a landscaped garden.'> 'They offer 360-degree visibility, interact with light and space dynamically,' says AstaGuru's Mansukhani.> Vesey of Christie's shares that interior designers now play a big role in the crossover between art and design — they're also becoming significant buyers in the art market.The young, the old, the new, the bold. While established collectors make up a fair share of the sculpture market, young collectors — people in their 30s, 40s, and some even in their 20s — are also poring catalogues. Artist Paresh Maity says, 'Now, the younger generation is at the forefront, as they have understood the value of collecting art, especially sculptures.'