In our two-minute special, we chat with Luxury man Gaurav Bhatia, also a renowned art connoisseur and the man behind the success of the Indian arm of the world’s oldest auction house Sotheby’s.
One of the most sought-after luxury experts and Sotheby’s India Managing Director, Gaurav Bhatia hosted an intimate dinner alongside designer Tahir Sultan at his home in New Delhi, ahead of the year’s India Art Fair. The event was immersive, art-filled, with Indian and Middle Eastern gastronomy with champagne served in ‘chai glasses’. The who’s who of the art world with leading collectors and curators were invited.
In a quick chat with Bhatia, he elaborated on how the India Art Fair is the most celebrated week on the Indian art calendar, and this annual dinner is the highlight of the fair. “The India Art Fair showcases the best of modern and contemporary art in the country from across the world. It’s a great canvas to share the magic of art with collectors seasoned and budding and share the diversity of the global art world.”
Does he think the India art market is strong? “It’s growing with a strong base of loyal collectors and some incredible programming. What we have is incredible. This is the time to collect Indian contemporary art.”
Gaurav, a renowned art collector himself, is well-known for opening the first office of Sotheby’s India. Bhatia shepherded the firm at a time when it aimed to open the currently thriving art scene in the country. Under the leadership of Gaurav Bhatia, Sotheby’s India, came up with its maiden auction “Boundless: India” in Mumbai. The inaugural sale featured 60 artworks, which included some of the most sophisticated works of art, photography, and sculpture of artists from South Asia as well as those inspired by South Asia.
Bhatia is also known for his stint with LVMH as Marketing Director of Moet Hennessy India, wherein he looked after the company’s incredible portfolio of champagnes, wines, and spirits across India sub-continent. He has been a key player in the South Asian luxury space for opening up new markets, creating new categories, working on business development, and expanding customer base across South Asia.
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