Sudharshan Shetty to be KMB-2016 curator

Noted artist Sudarshan Shetty was today announced curator of the 2016 session of Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), an international exhibition of contemporary art hosted in the city of Kochi.
The announcement was made by Kerala Cultural Minister K C Joseph today, nearly a month after a high-powered panel of artists and prominent personalities made a unanimous decision in Shetty's favour.
"KMB has contributed to Kerala's culture, tourism and hospitality industries and renewed India's cultural position in the world. We will extend full support to the programme in the coming years," Joseph said.
Speaking at a function attended by political bigwigs and artistes from the state, including biennale founders Bose Krishnamachari and Riyas Komu, he said, "The new curator will be vital to furthering this site of art."

Shetty, 54, takes over the mantle of KMB curator and artistic director from Jitish Kallat. Both are Mumbai-based artists of international repute. Shetty's installations and multi-media works are displayed across the US and Europe.
Shetty is the only Indian artist who has been commissioned to create a public sculpture in Japan.

"Through just two biennales, KMB has acquired the role of one of the most important exhibitions globally," Shetty said.
KMB-14 was a 108-day event, spread across eight venues, featuring 52 international and 42 Indian artists, and received nearly five lakh visitors.
Speaking on the occasion, senior Congress leader and local MP Shashi Tharoor said, "It is good to have a curator who has worked in various mediums and so can understand in various ways how art can capture aspects of life."

The new curator was selected after a month-long deliberation by a panel under KBF comprising artists Amar Kanwar, Atul Dodiya, Bharti Kher, Jyoti Basu, and patrons Kiran Nadar, Ranjit Hoskote, Shireen Gandhi, V Sunil, and also Kochi Biennale Foundation President Krishnamachari and Secretary Komu.