Arati Desai

After completing my B.A Fine (Applied Arts) Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S.University, Baroda, 1991 and M.A.Fine (Art Criticism) Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S.University, Baroda, 1993, I have been based in Baroda. Staying and studying in the city provided the advantage of being in touch with several of Baroda’s artists be them students or teachers or professionals.
With my primary interest being understanding artwork from the artist’s intent, writing on the artist and his art has always proved to be enlightening and enjoyable. Apart from several years of writing for Saffronart and other art magazines, my writing experience also includes catalogue essays for several Baroda based artists like Arunanshu Chowdhury, Nandini Das, Nehal Rachh etc.
Professional experience in Curation:
Points of Reference, Gallery Art & Soul, 2007,(group show of Baroda artists)
In Depth, Gallery Art & Soul, 2008
Art forms and forms of Art….Beyond Definition , Red Earth Gallery, Baroda in 2008
Assisted in the Journey V show, Gallery Art & Soul,2009, Mumbai organized by Passages, a NGO supporting Breast Cancer.
I belong… a small sculpture group show, Baroda (@ an informal space) 2011
Giftable , 2014,Baroda offered gift items created by artists of the city.
Handkrafted, 2015, a ceramic show in Baroda with the participation of 8 artists.
The Portfolio Collection, 2017 held in Baroda , a group show of 15 artists presenting 30 portfolios.
Apart from Art curation and writing, I conduct art appreciation, creative thinking and writing workshops for children, and on a regular basis coach young children in reading and writing skills. It is always a pleasure to work with children and in that spirit I work with an NGO, Sankalp in Baroda which enhances the lives of differently abled children.
A passion for travel has introduced to travel writing for a local magazine.