This renowned art gallery has always been in the forefront in promoting Mainstream Indian Art in the city of Pune. Located in the Parmar Trade Centre at Sadhu Vaswani Chawk, the Waves Art Gallery was set up by Anjali Moge in the year 2000. However, due to some operational difficulties it had to be shut down with just a single show under its arm. A young artist named, Raju Sutar, took over the gallery in October 2004 as a curator and the gallery has been doing well ever since. His main focus behind acquiring the gallery was to bring back Mainstream Art in the city of Pune which, according to Raju, was fast losing touch with the Art world.
Raju believes that Mainstream Indian Art has a bright future because it is something which reflects the thoughts and views of the common man. Unlike most other art forms which the general masses find difficult to relate to, Mainstream Art appeals to a large section of the Indian society because it is not only aesthetically pleasing but also easier to understand and appreciate.
Since 2004, the gallery has played a vital role in recreating a thriving environment for Art in the city that has produced numerous renowned artists. Waves has also done a great deal in the promotion and recognition of new and emerging talent from Pune. It gives budding artists the ideal platform to showcase their work and get noticed in this competitive field. The gallery gives the upcoming painters an opportunity to meet and interact with established artists and art lovers. Art collectors too are equally fond of this gallery because its high quality art display holds good value for money.
The gallery collection comprises of the works of over a thousand artists. These include paintings by some of the Indian greats as well as the new talent that have the potential to make it big in the Art industry. The very first artist to display his work in the gallery was none other than Raja Ravi Varma. The paintings of the famous Indian painter are considered by many as the best examples of the fusion of Indian traditions with the techniques of European academic art. M.F. Hussain and F.N. Sauza are among the other big names that have displayed their artwork at the gallery.
When it comes to ambience, the gallery has a relaxed and informal environment. The gallery though small houses a rich collection of arresting canvases that decorate the walls which are sure to keep any art lover busy for a couple of hours. Open all through the week except Sundays, Waves Art Gallery is indeed a great place for artists and art lovers to appreciate, discuss and experience the latest in world of Mainstream Indian Art.