Review in Deccan Chronicle on 23-02-2012

 Most art connoisseurs shudder at the word “reproduction” and many galleries will have nothing to do with them. But for youngsters in the city, art “prints” are the way to go. Many opt to buy a glossy poster of a Van Gogh or MF Husain painting, rather than purchase original artworks. Prints are much more affordable than originals, and allow them to enjoy a great work of art, albeit a copy.

Architect and online gallery owner Lakshmi Subramanian admits, “The first piece of art I ever bought was a copy of Van Gogh’s Irises. It still hangs in my house and I love to look at it.” While Lakshmi is all for encouraging upcoming artists, she points out, “A regular youngster doesn’t have Rs 5,000 to spend on an original painting. But if you can get a paper print for just Rs 350-500, then why not.” Lakshmi’s art portal, 64arts.in offer posters of works by Raja Ravi Varma, as well as masters like Manet, Picasso and more.

Writer and amateur painter V Suryanarayan is another happy art lover. He says, “I have been collecting big reproductions on paper, of works by Raja Ravi Varma and Rabindranath Tagore. They are not only a source of inspiration to me, they look just as good as originals.”  He adds, “I don’t have to worry about copyrights either as these galleries make copies of paintings that they own.”

 Marketing professional Aarti Khurana sums it up, saying, “I have picked up several art posters which are beautifully framed and look great in my house, all for a few hundred rupees. I feel art is for everyone to enjoy, not just for the connoisseurs. I’m a big fan of Van Gogh’s Starry Night but I also have a lot of other posters that I chose just because they looked good, not because of a big name.”