About a Indian contemporary Artist Raj More

Raj More live and work in Mumbai. Born 20th February,1972, Akola, Maharashtra, India.

Graduate from “Sir J. J School of Art’’ Mumbai 1999 & he has dedicated his life to art and

doing Painting in field of visual Art..He won the National Award for 54th National Exhibition

of Art organized by lalit kala Academy at New Delhi 2012.He is a Winner of 2010 Asia

Art Award & Excellence prize. present by EM Art Gallery & a collaborative venture with

Korean Govt.Seoul,Korea . He win Hussian-Bendre award by Bombay art society,Mumbai.

Dr. Manisha Patil curated show 'Rethinking the Regional' , a collaborative venture of Shlok(

Lokmat group) and NGMA at National Moderen Art Gallery Mumbai2015. Palette art gallery

curated by Rohit Gandhi ,New Delhi 2014.Peter Nagy invites for solo show in his curated show

at United Arts Fair edition 2nd,New Delhi 2013. ‘’Art 507’’ show Curated by Mia Jung at Lotte

gallery,Seoul.Korea 2012.His work at Busan International Art fair & ASYAAF International Art

Fair Curated by Dain Oh present by Gallery LVS,Seoul.Korea 2012. United Arts Fair Curated by

Johny ML at New Delhi 2012.Johny ML curated SOFA at India Art Festival Fair,Mumbai 2011.

He has done solo shows -‘’Metropective MH01’’ at Exhibition Hall,Faculty of Fine

Arts,Vadodara curated by Vijay Patel 2012. ’’Urban Acrylics’’ curated by Mr. Ebrahim Alkazi at

Art Heritage Gallery, New Delhi 2012.Monica Jain curated two show ‘’Soul Stories’’ & ‘’Seeing

without words’’ in New Delhi 2012-2013.’’B 4 Mumbai’’ at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

2011. International Curator Michal Matej curated a show at Fine Art Gallery,Bratislava.Slovak

Republic,EU-2010.‘’Lifeline786 Mumbai’ BMB Art Gallery Mumbai 2008. Salaam Mumbai at

Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai 2006. ‘’Pachola’’ at Roof Top Oberoi Gallery present by ING

Barings Bank. Mumbai 1999. He has done same group show in short-- ‘’DIVERGENT

HORIZONS’’ Suresh Jayaram curated contemporary Indian art from Regional Centre at Lalit

kala Akademi,Chennai 2014.Hari Somakantam curated a group show at Art Stream

Gallery,Singapore 2014..Confluence- BMB Art Gallery Mumbai 2011. '' Dimensions in time &

space’ curated by Mr.Ebrahim Alkazi at Art Herittage Gallery,New Delhi 2010.‘’Bombay Boys

‘’ Gallery Beyond at Indian Habited Centre, New Delhi 2002. Since 1994, Raj More has held

several solo & group shows and participated in some of the major exhibitions across the globe.

His works were also featured in international auctions. He get same national, international

Award & same Scholarship for his works.

The Urban city has kept him alive with its fascinating sights & sounds. He chooses urban metros

cities as the ultimate destination for his work & loves to explore cities which are very well

reflected in his work. He believes, “ Every Urban City in the world has a soul of its own and it

talks to you”, that’s why he always expresses this as the language of his work.His motivation

behind his work the involvement and its circumstances, elements like Gods,superheros, vehicles,

animals and beauties. He takes Bollywood beauties as the subject in his work as a multifaceted

part of life.He talks about a God on Hanuman and his new age contemporary super heroe's .Yes,

he agrees that he capture violence,religious, Bollywood,superhero’s as these are a part of an

urban space.He can’t deny all these things and so it appears in his work. Furthermore, humor is

the medium of thought in his work.

RAJ MORE

Lives and works in Mumbai

Born 20th February, 1972, Akola, Maharashtra, India.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

Graduate from Sir. J. J. School of Art Mumbai, Mumbai University 1999.

Govt. Diploma in Art Education, Pune, Pune University 1994.

AWARDS, FELLOWSHIP & SCHOLARSHIPS

2012 Win the 54th National Academy Award organized by Lalit kala Akademi ( National

Academy of Art) New Delhi.

2010 Winner of 2010 Asia Art Award & Excellence prize present by EM Art Gallery & a

collaborative venture with Korean Govt,Seoul, Korea

2008 Winner of Hussian-Bendre awards by Bombay art society,Mumbai

2001 Awards of Scholarship for the Young Artist of the year, Ministry of Tourism & Culture,

Department of Culture, Govt. Of India.

1999 Prize for Best water color, Bombay Art Society, Mumbai.

1996 State Art Award by Maharashtra Government.

AUCTIONS

2014 Tara Trust Art auction 2014-Goa

2014 Palette 2014-raise funds for non-profit organizations supported by EdelGive

Foundation,Mumbai

2013 ‘’Hospital on Wheels’’ Fundraiser Auction of Contemporary Art present by The Rotary

Club of Mumbai

.

2013 EdelGive Foundation Art Auction proceeds by Palette 2013 Curated by Anupa Mehta

2012 Fundraising Exhibition for Unicef India’’The World of Hope, Between Extremes’’

Curated by Mia Jung at Lotte gallery,Seoul.Korea.

2011 ''Face Forward'' Fundraising Auction Sponsor by Audis Husar Fine Art.Los Angles.CA

90067

2010 Art for Dignity Auction 2010 Presented by Samabhavana Society, Auctions conducted by

Angira Arya & coordinated by Turmeric Earth. Mumbai

2007 Auction conducted for PLAN USTSAV presented by Ramola Bachchan and Surina

Narula, Mumbai and New Delhi

2004 40 Artist gives Christ an Indian hue at St. Francis Xavier in Goa Auctions conducted by

German curator – Rudolf Sancharnet & Goan Art Gallery, Goa

2001 Save the Children, Presented by Art of Heart’s Sake, Auctions conducted by Bowering

London at New Delhi and Mumbai. Organized by Gallery Beyond Gallery

SOLO SHOWS

2013 Peter Nagy curated a solo show at United Arts Fair edition 2nd,New Delhi 2013

2012 ’’Urban Acrylics’’ curated by Mr. Ebrahim Alkazi at Art Heritage Gallery, Triveni koala

Sangam, New Delhi-1

2011-12 ‘’MH 01 –Travelling show in 3 citie Mumbai,Ahemedabad,Vadodara( jehangir Art

gallery-Faculty of Fine Arts Gallery,Vadodara- Amdavad N Gufa Gallery, Ahmedabad.)

2010 Top-Mangement–Holding.eu and international Curator Michal Matej present a solo show

at Fine Art Gallery,Bratislava,Slovak Republic.EU

2010 ‘’C 4 Delhi’’curated by Mr. Ebrahim Alkazi at Art Heritage Gallery, Triveni koala

Sangam, New Delhi-1

2008 ‘’Lifeline786 ‘’BMB Art Gallery( Gallery Articullate) ,fort ,Mumbai.

2006 Salaam Mumbai- at Jehangir Art Gallery,Mumbai.

2005 Gallery-g Art Gallery, Bangalore.

2003 217 Art Gallery, Mumbai.

2002 Jehangir Art Gallery,Mumbai.

2001 Lalit Kala Academy Ravindra Bhavan, New Delhi.

1999 ‘’Pachola’’ Y.B.Chavan Art Gallery,organized by ING Barings Bank, Mumbai

1998 Jehangir Art, Gallery,Mumbai

1994 Watercolors-Sir J. J. School of Applied Art Gallery,Mumbai.

GROUP SHOW

2015 Dr. Manisha Patil curated show 'Rethinking the Regional' , a collaborative venture of

Shlok( Lokmat group) and NGMA at National Moderen Art Gallery Mumbai2015.

2015 ‘URGENT” curated by Sanjeev Sonpimpare at the Art & Soul Gallery Mumbai

2014 Palette art Gallery,New Delhi

2014 ‘’DIVERGENT HORIZONS’’ Suresh Jayaram curated contemporary Indian art from

Regional Centre at Lalit kala Akademi,Regional centre.Chennai

2014 Hari Somakantam curated a group show at Art Stream Gallery,Singapore

2013 Busan International Art Fair present by LVS Gallery, Seoul .Korea.

2013 ‘’Soul Stories’’ Curated by Monica Jain at Zynna Art Gallery,New Delhi

2012 Good Homes for Art-A public art initiative with the works of 25 celebrates artists Present

by Good Magazine and Times Group. Mumbai.

2012 Exhibition for Unicef of India with Korean artist present by ‘’Art 507’’ Curated by Mia

Jung at Lotte gallery,Seoul.Korea.

2012 ‘’Seeing without words’’ Curated by Monica Jain at Art Spice Gallery,New Delhi

2012 United Arts Fair,edition 1st,curated by Jonhy ML,New Delhi

2012 ASYAAF Art Fair Curated by Dain Oh at Gallery LVS,Seoul.Korea

2011 Confluence- at BMB Art Gallery, Mumbai.

2011 SOFA Curated by Johny ML at India Art Festival,Mumbai.

2010 Dimensions in time & space (3 artist show) curated by Mr. Ebrahim Alkazi at Art Heritage

Gallery, Triveni koala Sangam, New Delhi-1

2007 ‘’SpanDan 3,Aricullate Art Gallery,Fort.Mumbai

2006 ‘’SpanDan-Vibration’’,Aricullate Art Gallery,Fort.Mumbai

2004- 40 Artist gives Christ an Indian hue at St. Francis Xavier in Goa,curator by German--

Rudolf Sancharnet & Goan Art Gallery,Goa.

2002 ‘’Bombay Boys ‘’ Indian Habited Center organized by Gallery Beyond. New Delhi.

1999 Art Walk at Artist Center Gallery, curated by Lisa Ray (Model & Actress) & Nisha

Jamwal (Art Critics)

1998 Tasweer at Indian Habitat Center, New Delhi.

Art Camps & Art Events

2016 Cartist Automobile Art festival @ Cartist Jaipur 2016..Curated by Johny ML

2015 Symphony Art and Technology National Painting & Sculpture workshop at PEC

University of Technology, UT Chandigarh

2013 Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional center organizing ‘’Regional painters camp’’.Goa.

2012 Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional center organizing ‘’Regional painters camp’’. Chennai.

2011 Art Camp present by GIHED at Ahmedabad

All major exhibitions in national & international level since 1992.

Several individual collectors in India and abroad.

STUDIO-

Raj more.

Akurli Om chsl, A-wing, flat no-71,Lokhandwala complex,Kandivali (east) Mumbai-400

101.India.cell- +91 9967652362,+91 8087665370.Tell-022-40162659.

Email-rajmor@gmail.com,moreraju @yahoo.com

Website- www.rajmore.com

BIOGRAPHY

The Prince of Urban Tides..

“I have been painting all my life. I wanted to become an actor in fact I am a very good mimic. I

can mimic nearly all Bollywood stars, but a wise actor once asked me, where is Raj More in your

mimicry? These words opened my eyes to who and what I was and wanted to become in my

life.”

All the world’s a stage for artist, Raj More, as he narrates his multiple stories embedded within

his large scale bold canvases. Hailing from the quaint town of Akola, in Maharashtra, the first

born to a government employee and a homemaker mother, Raj More has donned many masks

and played numerous roles in his life. Most of them convincingly.

“In school, I was more interested in extra-curricular activities and sports than studies or art, I

wanted to become a cricketer, I worked hard and was a celebrated member of the Akola Cricket

Club. It cost me my 12th standard though! However, outside of Akola, few knew my passion for

cricket. It was important that I educate myself in something more long lasting, so when my

drawing teacher suggested to my father that I should take up art as a career, my father who had

dreams of making me an engineer or doctor, ignored it. But my teacher who observed the talent

of drawing and painting in me, convinced my father and I was sent to art school. In 1991 I left

Akola for Pune to do my ATD ( Art Teacher’s Diploma) at Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya, I got

admission on merit.”

This move from small town Akola to Pune was also an attempt by the artist to forward his acting

dreams. He moved around the historical city, making friends, meeting theatre actors in his spare

time from art school and trying to eke out some chance to perform his acting skills. In college, he

was an all rounder, popular for his art, sports, drama and extra curricular activities. He did

mimicry shows to support himself financially through out.

“I had the best of teachers in Pune, Prof.Vijay Kadam, Prof. Kamble, Prof Chavan, and others

who helped me sharpen my drawing and painting skills. they also taught me the art of living as

an artist”

But the restless mind often seeks what it wants. Raj moved to Mumbai in 1993, after having

acquired a seat at the prestigious Sir J J School of Art. He chose Applied art over Fine art in spite

of his work being the quality of fine art students. The purpose of becoming an actor flowered

into various other film line related opportunities in a city which has the Bollywood film industry.

Raj spread his wings and got ready to fly. This is where he met most of his inspirations and well

known people from all walks of life. Some befriended him, guided him, advised him and Raj

began renewing his dream of becoming an actor. He would gift the renowned actors their

portraits and paintings which would become memories in the making. He began working as a full

fledged mimicry artist while studying and it was in one of these times he met actor Sayaji

Shinde. The veteran actor was impressed by Raj’s mimicry skills and encouraged him. And in

that friendly demeanor, he told Raj the secret of true success was to be yourself. This stuck with

the sensitive artist and he began taking his career seriously. His work has always been that

unique blend of fine art and applied art and popularity could not be far behind. His work initially

dealt with landscape and urban or rural scenarios.He also won the 1996 State Award for Art by

Maharashtra government. In 1998 against the advice of his friends and colleagues, he had a show

at Jehangir Art Gallery. It was a huge sell out show and this saw the emergence of the artist,

painter in Raj More.

Another life changing moment for the artist that changed the course of his focus from acting to

art was the time when after graduation from Sir J J School of Art, he applied for the Film &

Television Institute of India ( FTII) in Pune. Raj could not get through the final lapse of the

admission process. Though dejected by this, the artist decided that it was Art he would dedicate

his life to, recognizing that Art has been his constant companion for life.

From 1999, after graduating and the setback of the FTII rejection, Raj became a full time artist

and never looked back. Raj married Sangita in 2000. Sangita, as Raj reveals has been his silent

and strongest support during his struggle as an artist. During one such occasion, Raj sent his

portfolio to the famous theatre director and art connoisseur and patron, Ebrahim Alkazi. Alkazi

was so impressed by the works of Raj that he wrote an article about it. He offered to show his

works in several group and solo shows and also advised the young artist about his work for the

future. Raj has had many shows, both solo and group from then on at prestigious galleries, camps

and international residencies. Some mentionable ones are, his participation in the 2002

show, ‘Bombay Boys - II’ held at Gallery Beyond, ‘Salaam Mumbai’ show at Jehangir art

gallery in 2006 is particularly important as this was the show where he began using some of his

palette knife techniques in the works. This technique would later on become famous as artist

Raj’s style of paint application.

In August of 2008, Raj had his most successful solo show titled, ‘Lifeline 786’ at the Articulate

Gallery at BMB Art Gallery, Mumbai. This was one of the most successful shows of the year

and it also marked Raj as a force to be reckoned with in the main stream art world of India. Some

of his other well known shows were, ‘Dimensions in time and space’ curated by Ebrahim Alkazi

at New Delhi, in 2010.He also winner of 2010 Asia Art Award and excellence prize by EM Art

gallery with collaborative venture with Korean Govt,Seoul Korea.

Raj has also had tremendous success abroad as his work is very well received even to this day in

many parts of the world. He has had a solo show at the Fine Art Gallery, Bratislava, Slovak

Republic, EU in 2010 curated by Michal Matei. Raj’s works are very well appreciated and loved

at the Korean shores as well, with his shows curated by Mia Jung titled, ‘Art 507’ at Seoul,

Korea in 2012 and a group show in 2013 at the Busan International Art Fair by LVS

Gallery, Seoul, Korea. Back home he also was much appreciated at the United Art Fair 2012,

curated by JohnyML and United Art Fair 2013, curated by Peter Nagy in New Delhi.

“He also won the 54th National Academy Award organized by Lalit Kala Akademi(National

Academy of Art) New Delhi.”

Recent times saw his work displayed at the ‘Rethinking the Regional’ show held at NGMA

Mumbai and curated by Dr Manisha Patil.

Raj has also been part of various art camps and events like Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional

painters’ camp at Chennai in 2012, and in Goa in 2013. The Symphony art and Technology

National painting and Sculpture workshop at PEC University at Chandigarh. And the most

unique, Cartist Automobile Art Festival at Jaipur in 2016, curated by Johny ML.

Like a prince who sails on known and unknown tides, artist Raj More brings the essences of

urban and rural, the bold and the sensitive, the pain and the celebration of all that he sees and all

that he is been part of.

“What makes my art different is the painterly quality and the use of the palette knife. I work very

deftly on each section of the work and it is hard work. I look outside my studio window and see

roof tops of slums near by. Sometimes, when I miss my acting days, I go down there, sit with

them, play cricket, talk and interact with them. I see many characters, actors on the stage of life,

it feels like home. An artist has to be able to adapt and accept everything around, from people, to

nature, to situations, to struggles. At such times when I approach my canvas with my knife

loaded with paint, the various aspirations and dreams which were left half way crop up suddenly,

in the playfulness of my favorite intelligent bird, crow, in the reflection of the crowded Mumbai

on a taxi or truck window, in the tiny lanes and gullies which are like blood vessels of Mumbai.

My knife sees and expresses all of these sights, and none of it is shy or dull.”

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Awards

Raj More get 54th National Academy award from Lalit Kala Akademi,New Delhi 2012

Lalit Kala Akademi

National Academy of Art

New Delhi

Searching for a fresh cultural identity and nationhood and the Indian Government’s commitment

to support the arts on a massive scale was conspicuous with the establishment of major cultural

organizations. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru conceived

and set up major art and cultural agencies to rejuvenate and formulate the diverse Indian

cultural practices and promote them to play a comprehensive role in the making of the nation.

The main thrust of these organizations was artistic excellence. Lalit Kala Akademi, National

Academy of Art, New Delhi, was one among such national organizations that was established

by the Government of India in 1954. It emerged as the principal establishment that ensconces a

wide array of its activities in the field of visual arts.

The Honourable Former Union Minister for Education, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, inaugurated

the Akademi on August 5, 1954. In his inaugural speech, he quoted that, “the objective of Lalit

Kala Akademi is to preserve the glorious traditions of the past and enrich them by the work of

our modern artists. It must also seek to improve standards and refine public taste“. Since its

inception the Akademi has made remarkable progress in this regard and has achieved major

goals under the leadership of visionary members like Mulk Raj Anand, B.C. Sanyal, K.K.

Hebbar, Karl J. Khandalavala, Debiprasad Roy Chowdhury and Sankho Chaudhuri, who have

contributed immensely in the popularity of Indian art.

The Akademi is an autonomous body, which is fully funded by the Ministry of Culture,

Government of India. It has substantial independence in formulating decisions related to

national and international exhibitions, events and providing financial assistance to artists and art

organizations through scholarships and grants. In this context, the Akademi selects suitable

practitioners to receive grants. Since its establishment, the Akademi has been serving the

country by promoting creative endeavours of Indian artists and bringing their arts closer to a

large number of audience; thereby playing an important role in defining and redefining the

sensibility of India’s visual culture.

Raj More get 54th National Academy award from Lalit Kala Akademi,New Delhi 2012

Lalit Kala Akademi is an institution that rendered service to the arts in the nation long before the

world woke up to the global impact of Indian art. Through the initiatives of its members and staff,

Lalit Kala Akademi manifests a commitment to the service of arts by establishing, preserving

and documenting art of the highest order that reflects the vitality, complexity and unfolding

patterns of modern and contemporary art in India. All through the year it presents exhibitions

and educational programs of unparalleled significance. It sustains a library, art collection,

archives, conservation laboratory and gives scholarships and brings out publications of pre-

eminent intellectual merit.

Pivotal to the Lalit Kala’s mission is the encouragement of an ever-deeper understanding and

enjoyment of modern and contemporary art by the diverse local, national and international

audience. The National Exhibition of Art and the Triennale-India are endeavours that have been

held to cater to its quest for discovering new artistic trends. The Akademi’s sincere commitment

for the development of arts is evident through the national and international exhibition programs

organized by the Head Quarters in New Delhi and by the Regional Centers situated at

Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Shimla and Garhi, New Delhi. While providing

further opportunities for emerging artists the Akademi emphasizes to foster appreciation of arts

and engagement of the audience to associate with art and culture. The Akademi strongly

focuses on shaping a future India in which arts play a meaningful role in everyday life. As a

cultural body that hovers above the entire Indian subcontinent, it plays a role to inter-link the

diverse cultures of India to weave up a cultural spread that is magnificent for its colourful

threads of creative genius and brilliant designs that delineate fascinating features of Indian life.

Perceiving the Indian culture comprehensively with all its artistic impulses, conflicts,

contradictions and limitations, the Akademi has been functioning with a panoramic view to

involve all genres of creativity in its activities. It has a vision that takes care of the traditional art

of India as well helping artists to imbibe many of the contemporary happenings in the

International art scene.

Another major art promotional activity of the Akademi is providing studios to Indian and

international artists who work in various disciplines of art. The Akademi’s Regional Centres

situated in various parts of the country provides studio space and working facilities to the artists.

In Delhi the Akademi administrates Garhi Artists Studios wherein artists of various disciplines

such as painting, sculpture, graphics, and ceramics work throughout the year

More News Link

http://www.mid-day.com/articles/we-are-losing-humanity-in-a-concrete-jungle/193610

( mid-day article on national award)

http://archive.indianexpress.com/talk/news/northeasterlies-are-blowing/1046654

( Indian express link-..Tuesday,December,18th,2012-national award)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVnRURLMYPk

(Raj More win the 54th National Academy Award - IBN Lokmat Tv)

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(2)

Raj More Winner of 2010 Asia Art Award,EM Art Gallery,Seoul Korea

Interview for magazine by curator Sejin Kim

SK1. You are the winner of 2010 Asia Art Award. How do you feel?

Raj: I felt like a dream come true & it honour to me.it stimulated me to work harder,its feel good.

SK. When you apply, did you have a plan to advance to Korea as a artist?

Raj:I get a information about this Award on Facebook,this year i apply for this contest.I wanted

to now about Korea & its culture as an artist.Definitely wanted to move & work there.

SK3. How do you know about Korean Art? Who is your favorite?

Raj:I alway like a Korean Art.Korean Art is fascinating although it has been deeply influenced by

chinese art,still pursing it own path.Korean art an interest all its own.Korean artists could look

back on a tradition of painting,renderings of older more traditional techniques and subject.Now a

daysKorean art make his own paltform in Asia contemparary art.I like korean artist as Kwan

young Soul & Cha Hyan Sea...both of works i like it.

SK4. We are curious how you think about Indian art scene now

.Raj:Now Indian art is growing very fast because they have not influence of any one art.Indian

art have it own spirt,cultural complexity & charm to Asia.

SK5. What is improvement of Indian art? On the other hand, what is weakness of Indian Art?

Raj:Lots of improvement in Indian art.lots of Art fairs & international gallery come to india...so

many auction houses doing well with Indian art.All around the world,ppl like Indain art.Indain

artist doing well & make his own marks.On other hand there is no weakness in Indian Art,after

same recession in all the art world.Now all thinks going well....Big Art fairs is coming,art market

doing well.

SK6. What is your plan for your work and exhibition in the future?

Raj:Just to keep on working...in any circumstances.I am working on a project on New Delhi'''C 4

Delhi''.I make video,paintings & installation on it.

SK7. How do you and your works want to be introduced in Korea?

Raj :I am working on my culture & thoughts,so i would like to introduces my work on this way.

You get a Excellence prize $2000 as supporting fund.

Details of exhibition in Seoul will be announced soon.We are planning about on October ot

November since Miami Art Fair is December

Again, Congratulation !

Sejin Kim

Curator

EM Art Gallery,2F 3-20 Suman Bldg,Cheong dam-dong,Gangnam-gu,Seoul.Korea(135-517)

http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-every-city-talks-to-you-raj-more-1412153

(Best Asian award….Winner of 2010 Asia Art Award,EM Art Gallery)

http://www.artblogazine.in/raj-more-win-asia-art-awardartist-raj-more-who-explores-cities-bags-a-korean-award-

for-his-exhibition-on-delhi/ (Best Asian award….Winner of 2010 Asia Art Award,EM Art Gallery