While several businesses were affected due to the pandemic in 2021, the activity of artists was not the same. The art market was one of the few that was not affected much due to the economic crisis. Like many others, the artists also took a virtual route to display their work, exhibitions, auctions and art previews with the online medium.

Although the virtual painting exhibition not only achieved better financial results, it also reduced costs and carbon footprint by eliminating the costs of printing catalogs, invitations, international air transport. for art fairs and the cost of packaging and shipping for fairs, etc.

What’s more, going live has proven to be a blessing in disguise for the art world, with millennials becoming art’s new customers.

Choyals of Rajasthan, the three generations of artists who believe in the balance between offline and online medium and who have actively exploited the online medium for their art, have also apparently done well this year.

“To understand and appreciate the different nuances of a work of art, a physical exhibition and an art exhibition are very important and you simply cannot do without it. However, having a significant number of foreign art lovers, our website has been operating for over a decade and is also displayed online, ”said artist Akash Choyal, the youngest Choyal famous for his 3D illusion art. and his fiberglass sculptures.

“During the pandemic, being online has certainly helped and added a new dimension to art. Even gallery owners and art curators are tapping into the medium but certainly not doing away with offline exhibits. Indeed, since mid-2021, physical exhibitions are back and artists and art lovers and art collectors are indulging in them. The family of five artists have sold quite a few works of art this year. Among their new art collectors were millennials, who are enthusiastic about art as a viable investment option, ”Akash adds.

Swati Pasari, an artist from Kolkata, saw her sales increase by 15% in 2020 and 2021. The pandemic turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as I ventured into the online space and could increase my sales.

I have participated in over 5 exhibitions this year, both online and offline and plan to continue my foray into online exhibitions and art exhibitions.

“As people spent more time in their homes due to the foreclosure, they invested in decorating their space by purchasing colorful and positive artwork, this was one of the main reasons for the growth of the market. of art, ”explains Swati.

She added, “Besides decorating their space, people wanted to bring more positivity into their homes,” says Swati, a renowned artist in the field of spiritual art.

“In 2021, a year full of challenges, despite the overall contraction in sales due to the impact of Covid-19, it was interesting to see the new trends in art shopping. In-person events have of course declined, but online sales have increased. Interest in cultivation increased during lockdowns. Young collectors were the biggest spenders with online platforms improving accessibility. Affordable art created in our studio by upcoming artists sells very easily, but art collectors are waiting to buy master’s art when the studio is a safer place to meet us personally, ”said Bhavna Minocha, Delhi-based art curator. and founder of the art school gallery, The Art Hub