WHEN I started in 1989 as did many other Iadies, the media dubbed us the rich bored housewives',"
says the lady who lives in the house that M F Husain built. In the last 15 years. Renu Modi. director, Gallery Espace, Delhi, has slowly and steadily built the reputation of having a 'keen eye,' going beyond senior and saleable artists to scout for young talent - she discovered Seema Ghurayya, Manish Pushkale, and Zarina Hashmi. She is also credited for introducing the concept of 'curated' shows. Rich she might have been. Bored she was not.

"I did not have formal training but I had a passion for art," she says. So with Husain's encouragement, she opened a gallery. Her first show was, of course, an autobiographical series of the great painter's works.
"I thought it was about putting up a couple of paintings, inviting people to see them and then taking 'them off the walls and returning them to the respective artists." If she was really as naive as that, then Modi has come a long way. And that goes for the art scene in India as well. But passion alone cannot account for her success. "I was very patient, for I was told that a gallery needs at least four years to build a reputation. 1 learnt a lot about art from Manjit Bawa and Ram Kumar and of course, Husain saab. Finally there was a gut feel about art that grew stronger.'' According to Modi, people sat up and noticed her in 1994 when she showcased Drawing '94 her first curated show. Put together by critic and poet Prayag Shukla, it showcased several senior artists.'A show of Laxma Gaud followed and then a major show of sculpture. The news went out: Renu Modi was here to stay. Is she glad that the old no-method-only-madness days are over? "Indeed, they were crazy, times when it was diffieult to sell a Ram Kumar or even a Husain. And younger artists were regarded with suspicion. but there were some good bits too. We had friendlier relations with the artists. And we had collectors, not buyers.'' ls she richer than ever, courtesy art? Modi laughs."I make pots of money, and who doesn't love money? But if you ask me what gives me a kick. it is Promoting artists."
-Upala Sen

Began in1989

USP: 'I pick new artistswith care"

Memorable show: 1989 exhibition of M F Husaintsworks. It wasalso her first showFavouritesM F Husain, Subodh Gupta, Mahesh Pushkale,Seema Ghurayya, Zarina Hashmi, Krishna Reddy

Why art is hot today: "It is not as if everyone is suddenly passionate aboutart.But more and more people are aware of it and itsworth as a sound investment"