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Christie’s taking Indian Art Global

Sonal Singh (Image by Christie's)

Sonal Singh, Christie's MD's hobby-turned-passion has come a long way

BySiddhi Jain

September 9, 2019 (IANSlife)  Sonal Singh was bitten by the “collection” bug early. As a four-year-old, she started collecting coins, graduated to philately and ultimately ended up turning her hobby into her profession.  

Today, as an art specialist  and Managing Director of Christie’s, Singh steers the India business operations of the leading global auction house. 

"Collecting has been a long-established legacy in India, instilled by royals who were patrons of fine works spanning from paintings to jewellery, crystal, porcelain and vintage cars," she told IANSlife in an email interview.

 

Dr William Robinson, Sonal Singh and Dr Bertold Mueller of Christie’s
Caption: Dr William Robinson, Sonal Singh and Dr Bertold Mueller of Christie’s

 

Christie's, which dates back about 250 years, sold "four fine India pictures painted on glass" in the first-ever auction it had held in 1766. Its first representative office opened in India 25 years ago in 1994, while the brand held its first India auction in Mumbai in December 2013, and continues to be the most memorable auction for Singh, who joined Christie's in 2007.

"We had offered the collection of Kekoo and Khorshed Gandhy, and I was the Head of Sale at the time. The 80-lot auction broke multiple records for Indian art that evening, including setting a new world record," recalled Singh, who has been a former director of Bodhi Art, a leading online art gallery.

Setting a world record for any jewel sold at auction the Oppenheimer Blue diamond sold for USD 57 million at a Christies sale (Source - Christies)
Setting a world record for any jewel sold at auction the Oppenheimer Blue diamond sold for USD 57 million at a Christies sale (Source - Christies)

 

Encouraged by her parents to visit museums and collect artefacts since her childhood, Singh considers herself fortunate to have been "familiarised with different cultures and remarkable objects, within India and abroad". She studied design at Central Saint Martins in London, and Modern and Contemporary Art at Christie's Education, before completing her Master's degree in Art Business.

While her work at Christie's entails meeting "extraordinary collectors, experienced curators and great artists", it also involves closely watching the art market.

"The Indian art scene is growing. Our inclusion of Indian art annually in our Hong Kong sales, along with international events like the Venice Biennale and Kochi-Muziris Biennale makes Indian art more accessible.

A 17.21 carat 'Arcot II,' once owned by Queen Charlotte realized USD 3,375,000 at a Christie's auction in 2019. (Source Christie's)
A 17.21 carat 'Arcot II,' once owned by Queen Charlotte realized USD 3,375,000 at a Christie's auction in 2019. (Source Christie's)

 

"I believe we will see many international collectors looking more at Indian art. Not only will we see many reputed international galleries and museums hosting shows of Indian artists, but also an increasing number of Indian galleries participating in international art fairs with private Indian initiatives to support young national artists in India and abroad," she said. Therefore she encourages Indian collectors to follow online sales of the international auction house.

Christie's largely offers Indian art in its annual South Asian Modern and Contemporary auction in New York, London and Hong Kong. It also works closely with the Serendipity Arts Festival, India Art Fair, Kanoria Centre and the Mumbai Galleries network.
 
But with Christie's hosting its second India Week in Mumbai in December, Singh is excited about the auction house's calendar for the coming months. 


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