By Prem Singh

Together is a forum of contemporary artists founded in 2008. Eminent sculptor Mukal Panwar & painter Tapan Bhowmik have been mounting show of Delhi based artists at regular intervals. It’s mega art shows are now forward to by artists, art critics and art lovers country wide.

Organizing such a mega art event without any support from any Akademi or institution is highly commendable. It’s a huge effort on the part of artists to muster support from their own meagre resources to meet up the mammoth expenditure incurred on the hiring of the galleries, printing of the catalogue, transporting of the work of art & other miscellaneous expenditure that runs into lacs. Though the power now is dreaming of ‘Hamara Vikalp Vikshit Bharat ‘but the truth is that the Lalit Kala Akademi set up by the Government of India for the promotion, projection and preservation of art and artists in the country. The Akademi instead of giving the galleries on subsided rent is charging even charging GST on the bookings now. It has not only dampen the spirit of the artists but it has badly affected their creative out put. In order to give a fillip to the artistic activities in the country the Government should immediately withdraw GST on the booking of all public art places & spaces.

Together 2025 is an exhibition of the works of art by 92 artists of name and fame put up by this forum at the galleries of Lalit Kala Akademi until is a must visit mega event. Paintings, Sculptures, Drawings & Prints on display represent a wide range of styles ranging from the non-representational to representational in art. It is interesting to see how artists of today looking at their surroundings and expressing their artistic concerns, feelings and ideas. These are visible voices that raise many questions about the existence of man in an environment riddled with conflicts & confusions, tensions & turmoils, agony & ecstasy & so forth.

Such a collective also marks the solidarity among the artists to voice their own truth through feelings and ideas. They also get an intimate view of other’s work that not only give them insights into their creative process but also a new dimension & direction to art.

Delhi now is abuzz with art activities. A four day India Art Fair is opening on 6 February. As a parellel to it many Delhi art galleries are mounting its sxlysive shows. Together 25 stands for its commitment for taking art to the people. Such an artists unite helps in fostering better understanding of art and its immense cultural significance. It is all the more needed to counter the exclusivity promoted by the corporate art world.