‘Art Industry in India: Policy Recommendations’ from The Ficci

“The right to freedom of speech & expression to artists is guaranteed under Article 19 (1) (a) of the constitution of India. Clear procedures, processes and standards must be laid down to protect them from reckless allegations of obscenity and of being anti-national. Hooligans cannot be allowed to take law into their own hands. Summons to the artist or issue of warrant of arrest must be after due judicial scrutiny and balancing of interests."

Above is the observation made by Deloitte India MD Roopen Roy in his recent newspaper (The Financial Chronicle) column in the backdrop of a report released by The Ficci Committee. Among its several suggestions, ‘Art Industry in India: Policy Recommendations’ has sought exemption from basic customs duty on import of all types of works of art. The committee has suggested a uniform VAT rate for art at 1 per cent across states. This will take away the incentive of keeping the art trade in the parallel economy.

Analyzing its findings in context of Indian art’s apparently suppressed valuations for various reasons, the writer notes: "The artists, who are at the heart of the value creation, scarcely have a fair share. Middlemen and the collector, or investors, take most of it away. Is it possible to entitle artists to a reasonable percentage of the sale price on all subsequent re-sales for a specified number of years?"

Elaborating further, the columnist states: “Vincent van Gogh died, by a self-inflicted single gunshot wound in his chest, miserably poor and lonely. In his entire life, Van Gogh sold only one painting Red Vineyard at Arles. In great agony he said, “I cannot change the fact that my paintings do not sell. But the time will come when people will realise that they are worth more than the value of the paints used in the picture. If a law, such as the one I have just suggested existed, then Van Gogh may have lived longer, produced more masterpieces and, who knows, died a rich man surrounded by many friends.”