Learning to See

My interest in art didn't begin in a gallery. It began at home.

In 1999, while I was still at school, my mother started an art gallery specialising in contemporary South Asian art. Like many family businesses, everyone helped where they could. My brother and I became part of the team long before we knew anything about art itself.

Behind the Scenes

In the early days, my role was whatever needed doing. Packing paintings, helping hang exhibitions, preparing invitations, printing certificates of authenticity and organising client mailings. I spent countless evenings surrounded by envelopes, stamps and mailing lists.

Ironically, many of the computer skills I had dismissed at school suddenly became invaluable. Excel became price lists. Access became the gallery's client database. Mail merge printed hundreds of envelopes. Even Microsoft Publisher found a purpose designing exhibition invitations and certificates. The software I once thought I'd never use quietly became part of building a business.

An Unplanned Apprenticeship

At first, I was simply helping my mum. But over the years, something changed.

I found myself listening to conversations between artists and collectors, attending exhibitions, and gradually understanding not just the artwork itself but the stories behind it. My curiosity naturally took over. If I encountered a painting, an artist or an antique I didn't understand, I'd go home and research it.

Before long, I wasn't just interested in the artwork, I was fascinated by its history, provenance, conservation and the journey it had taken before arriving in the gallery.

Looking Back

Looking back now, I realise I never formally studied art. Instead, I spent more than two decades learning through experience. What started as helping with exhibitions during school gradually became an apprenticeship that continues to this day.

Today, I have the privilege of helping run the gallery alongside my family. My appreciation for art has grown far beyond aesthetics. Every painting, sculpture or antique carries a story, and I enjoy uncovering the history, craftsmanship and people behind each one.

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Learning to See

What began as helping my mum after school slowly became an education in art, history and the stories hidden behind every painting and sculpture.