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Indira Roy Choudhury
Indira Roy Choudhury is an art dealer in Oakville and Board Member of the Oakville Art Council and the Oakville Cultural Grant Committee. In 2015, she was awarded the “Arts Entrepreneur of the Year” by the OAC. Recently she participated in the jury for the selection of 2 pieces for the Oakville Public Art Program. Visit Indira @ www.triasgallery.com
Trias Gallery, Director Indira Roy Choudhury
- Contributed By: Indira Roy Choudhury
Tell us a little something about your business...
My interest in starting the gallery in Toronto came out of treating artists with respect and making art more accessible to the general public. The name ‘Trias’ is derived from the Greek number for three, representing the relationship between the artist, the dealer, and the collector. Nurturing and supporting artists is very important. Artists follow a very difficult path that takes resilience and dedication. Trias joined the Art Dealers Association of Canada and thrived in the vibrant ‘Art at 80’ art building for 15 years. Through the generosity of our artists, our gallery donated artwork to many charities including St. Joseph’s Hospital, Children’s Aid Foundation and the Varley Gallery. Beyond staging successful exhibitions at the gallery space, Trias Gallery was featured at the Toronto International Art Fair for 8 years. The art building was sold in 2012 and the gallery had to find a new home. Toronto was becoming more expensive, traffic and parking were also an issue. We had worked hard, over many years to build relationships with our clients and trusted that they would continue to support our artists even if we left Toronto. We purchased a beautiful, waterfront space in Bronte Harbour, Oakville and have been successful in this space 6 years. I am now 5 minutes from home and have a better work/family balance in my life.
When was your lightbulb moment?
I was a practicing artist with a teaching degree and selling my own work in the 1990’s. I was always very comfortable speaking with prospective clients and discussing the art. I could have become a teacher but I knew that I could make the language around art easier for people to understand and foster a sense of confidence in looking at the work, without judgement. The gallery evolved into a welcoming place where the journey of finding the ‘right’ piece is as enjoyable as finally making the acquisition.
What are your three words of advice?
If you can – BUY YOUR SPACE An art dealer gave me this advice 20 years ago. Artists and galleries add to the cultural life in a community. People are drawn to creative places and this often results in higher rents as the area becomes more popular. It can be a real challenge to find affordable space to exhibit art, but owning your space gives you stability to build your business.
Three words of advice...
Buy Your Space
Indira Roy Choudhury is an art dealer in Oakville and Board Member of the Oakville Art Council and the Oakville Cultural Grant Committee. In 2015, she was awarded the “Arts Entrepreneur of the Year” by the OAC. Recently she participated in the jury for the selection of 2 pieces for the Oakville Public Art Program. Visit Indira @ www.triasgallery.com
“May your legacy create a footprint of success for the next person who steps into your shoes”