Space118, Mumbai celebrates 10 years with an exhibition by 33 artists

When Saloni Doshi opened Space118 in Mumbai 10 years ago, she was often asked what she does there. Is it a gallery? Does she conduct exhibitions? A decade later, after providing residencies to over 300 Indian and international artists, conducting over 65 workshops and holding more than 30 public events, the director of Space118 hopes these questions will come to an end. And now, to celebrate their 10 years, Sakshi Gallery is collaborating with Space118 for a month-long exhibition titled ‘Making Space', the preview of which will be held today.

Space for Creativity

While Doshi had been collecting art as a personal passion for a couple of years, the idea of creating a residency for artists struck her when she travelled to Baroda and came in contact with the local artists there. “The studios in Baroda are sanctuaries for artists and I wanted to create a similar space here in Mumbai,” she says. Converting an old warehouse into five studios to come for short-term residencies has been a fulfilling journey for Doshi, who is dedicated to supporting emerging art practitioners from all parts of the country and the world.

“The 118 in the name of the studio is part of the address and ‘Space' can be interpreted in various ways, including a physical space for artists to come and work, as well as a space for creativity and new ideas and experiences,” says Doshi.

Interpreting Experiences

Over the years, several ideas, artworks, forms, practices and techniques have been learnt and un-learnt at the studios, with the artists interpreting the studio term in their own ways. 33 artists who have all been part of residencies at Space118 will be showcasing their works at the exhibition. Some of the names include Ankush Safaya, Tarini Sethi, Neha Choksi, Midhun Gopi, Gauri Gill, Mansi Bhatt, Viraj Mithani and Nandita Kumar among others. “The works are all fresh and varied. Some of the artists have shown internationally, while some are newer,” she says.

Half of the proceeds of the sale of the works will go to the artists while the other half will be towards the publication of the book ‘Mapping Residencies in India – Post Independence starting from the Sarabhai's till today' which Doshi has been researching for the past seven years.

“There is an entire history of residencies in India, with people such as the Sarabhai family in Ahmedabad and the Bhulabhai family in Mumbai, whose dedicated efforts have gone deep into creating an art ecosystem in this country. It is while researching this book that I realised that there is a residency in Ladakh inside a 14th century castle and one in Guwahati on a barge! It is fascinating to know all this,” she says.

Planning Ahead

While the celebrations will end on a high note with the exhibition, Space118 has some exciting plans for the next decade as well—they have launched two new initiatives. The Space118 Fine Arts Grant will be awarded to on artist for an eight-week residency starting November, which includes one lakh rupees and an eight-week exhibition next year. There is also the Space118 Contemporaries Residency which will be two-month residency programs for two artists and one writer starting next year.

Making Space: Celebrating 10 years of Space118, is on show till October 19, 2019 at Sakshi Art Gallery