‘It is great when the passion for your work grows on you’ – Deepak Mehta, Gallery Moksh

Sometimes, an entrepreneur starts something out of a sense of interest - but then it grows into something larger and becomes a bigger source of passion. In Part II of our photo essay on Gallery Moksh, we feature more of its exhibited works along with curator insights on art as a career.

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 190 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.

Deepak Mehta was originally trading in paper and graphic materials, but something attracted him to art. He founded Gallery Moksh in the Kala Ghoda district in south Mumbai in 2007, and since then has featured the works of dozens of artists (see Part I of the photo showcase here).

The painters include AJ Moujan, Shashikant Dhotre, Govind Dumbre, Madhumita Bhattacharya, Sharad Kale, Rajesh Ramkumar, Sanjay Mal, Ramesh Pachpande, Girish Gharat, Yashwant Shirwadkar, Yuvraj Patil, Anirban Seth, Sachin Kharat, Shakeel Momin, and others.

Over the years, the love for art has become a part of his life. “It is great when the passion for your work grows on you,” Deepak fondly says, in a chat with YourStory. The journey has not been without its ups and downs, such as the turmoil in the aftermath of demonetisation, he recalls.

“Look at art as a form of expression in its own right,” he advises, commenting on the tendency of some new buyers to look at art only as something to match the furniture in their homes or offices. “Learn how to figure out what tends to appeal to you, and develop your own tastes and preferences,” he adds.

There are many avenues and routes for becoming an artist, but it can be tough to survive due to stiff competition, Deepak cautions aspiring artists. Many begin by pursuing art as a part-time career and only then switching to become full-time artists. The same applies to starting and sustaining a career as an art curator or gallery owner.

But though he does not have a background in art, Deepak has certainly come a long way in promoting the love of art among and beyond the creative community.

Now what have you done today to experiment with and explore your passions to the fullest?

Got a creative photograph to share? Email us at [email protected]!

See also the YourStory pocketbook ‘Proverbs and Quotes for Entrepreneurs: A World of Inspiration for Startups,’ accessible as apps for Apple and Android devices.