FEATURES ARCHIVE

How did you first become interested in Indian Art?
I studied art history in Switzerland and while I was there, I had the chance to work in the Rietberg Museum. That was where I was first introduced to Indian art. They had a bronze statue of the Hindu god Shiva, which just fascinated me and really spawned my interest. It wasn’t until later in 2000 when Christie’s started offering Modern and Contemporary Indian art that my interest grew there.

If there was one work you’ve sold in the past that you could take home and hang on your wall, what would it be?
I wish I could own many of the works that come up for sale but I’m in a unique situation where I get to be around them everyday, which makes me very fortunate. Specialists here at Christie’s are temporary custodians and we really cherish the moments we spend with these works of art.

Why do you think this category is gaining so much popularity?
India has opened up economically and Indian and Southeast Asian Art has become such a global phenomenon amongst all kinds of collectors as a result of its prominence in the public eye now. Of course, this is only the beginning. . . Indian Art will see a tremendously powerful future in the long haul.

Where has being the head of Indian and Southeast Asian Art taken you?
I know it’s stereotypical, but everywhere really. There are collectors in Switzerland and Japan. The market is even emerging in China and South America. With every sale, we’ve broadened the perspective of what Indian art really is. Interest is increasing all around the world and I go wherever that might be.

What is the most valuable painting you’ve ever sold?
I was lucky enough to be the auctioneer for almost all the records we’ve set here at Christie’s. It is no longer the most valuable, but at the time, we sold Tyeb Mehta’s Celebration for over $317,000 in 2002. That was the first work of art to break the $100,000 mark which was a very important step in the market. More recently, we crossed the $2 million mark for two different works, Francis Newton Souza’s Birth and Syed Haider Raza’s La Terre.