Expat Women: Business Ideas: Interviews with Entrepreneurs
Shalini Ganendra Fine Art
Shalini Ganendra
Shalini Ganendra has mastered the art of relocation. She was born in Sri Lanka, then moved with her family to the United States when she was five. She completed primary and secondary school in the US, undergraduate study at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, then postgraduate legal studies back in the US at Columbia Law School, New York, before joining a Wall Street law firm - working both in their New York and London offices.
However, this season of her life changed in 1993, when Shalini followed her husband to Malaysia. Like many expat spouses, continuing her previous career in her new host country was not an option, so Shalini left the legal profession and pursued a life-long passion - art. In 1998, she established Shalini Ganendra Fine Art (SGFA) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - a gallery which specializes in contemporary art and design, with a specific focus on art from emerging regions such as Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
Expat Women's Interview with Shalini
Expat Women: Shalini, as an independent career woman, how did you handle the transition to 'accompanying partner' when you moved to Malaysia with your husband?
Shalini: I adjusted by building an identity through a productive enterprise that not only boosted my confidence, but gave me a voice and identity that were independent of my spouse's - which was a priceless benefit.
Expat Women: What motivated you to pursue a career in art in Malaysia and where did you learn how to curate art?
Shalini: I have had a life-long passion for art and beautiful things. The artistic interest was nurtured in particular by my grandfather and then my parents, who all support the arts. This interest translated into visiting museums regularly, reading about art and curatorial perspectives, learning about artists' lives, and notably, meeting artists.
My skills are identifying strong talents and presenting them in a credible and approachable manner. The Gallery shows are often curated by me, or the artists involved. I encourage artists to be involved in the curatorial process as it involves artistic intention, and of course, research and reference which should be explained clearly and simply.
Expat Women: Tell us about your vision for SGFA.
Shalini: At SGFA, we are committed to developing an artistic community, locally and internationally, through premiere exhibitions, artistic discourse/education, cross cultural exchanges, and public programs. We believe that all these efforts make art more approachable and accessible.
Part of this commitment is reflected through the Gallery's The Vision Culture Series, endorsed by UNESCO Observatory Multi-Disciplinary Research in the Arts. This multi-disciplinary program brings experts to Malaysia to share expertise and in turn, gain artistic knowledge about this region.
Under the Gallery's Art For You program, SGFA collaborates with public venues such as performance spaces to present art and artists to larger audiences in a variety of settings - extending the concept of "living with art".
Expat Women: What challenges did you encounter when starting your gallery and how did you overcome them?
Shalini: The main challenge is to be distinctive in this highly competitive, high value market - and SGFA does this by doing things differently. For example:
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We have always housed SGFA in a residence because we emphasize the concept of 'living with art';
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Articles provide depth: we publish regularly to increase our understanding of the art world and share that approach with others;
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We explore new territories. We were the first to show art from Sri Lanka and Malaysia during New York's Asia week and Contemporary Art Week in 2005;
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We maintain strong programming and cross-cultural ties (namely, the Vision Culture Lectures, Art For You, and Art Hug);
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SGFA artists distinguish themselves by winning awards and fellowships; and
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Presenting art and programs in an innovative space that is also a work of art and design, namely the new Gallery Residence.
Expat Women: What five tips would you offer to women planning to start a business abroad?
Shalini:
1.
Evaluate and assess the practices and psyche of the local market and related target group. Simply - understand your audience;
2.
Market research similar products in the relevant market, including required legal/licensing frameworks. Such research should continue even after delivery by asking for feedback to the activities/products you put out. Find out as much as you can about the competition;
3.
Whatever you choose to do - do it really well - maintain an international standard of excellence;
4.
Be patient, but stay alert to every experience and what it teaches. Review regularly what can be improved on, what worked well and what should be stopped; and
5.
Continue to stay in the minds of the market through innovative events and coverage. Keep your name positively in the mainstream.
Expat Women: Tell us a little about Gallery Residence, SGFA's new green space.
Shalini: Gallery Residence, which is SGFA's new green space, is designed by award winning architect Ken Yeang. I wanted a space that was dynamic, innovative and comfortable and Ken Yeang was the ideal architect for this project, particularly because of his success with smart Green Architecture. He was equally excited because of Gallery Residence's unique concept and qualities.
The new space has some great innovative green features - such as a wind chimney to circulate cool air through the house, rainwater bioswales, locally sourced materials, indigenous landscaping, efficient design and more.
Expat Women: What prompted you to create a green gallery and what do you hope to achieve with it?
Shalini: Our personal lives have embraced conservation, so we have been relatively green to date. Creating a green space really brought focus by emphasizing the understanding and appreciation of the green lifestyle. Understanding and appreciation are precepts of SGFA's artistic philosophy - so the fit is ideal.
Expat Women: You have been very intentional with growing your fine art business. What else have you planned for the future?
Shalini: We start the year with an exhibition, Code Red, by award winning artist, Yeoh Kean Thai who will show works influenced by his Commonwealth Award Fellowship experience. SGFA shows in New York during Contemporary Art Week in March. Sir Roy Calne's solo exhibition, Looking To See, will also open this month.
In the design/art area, we will continue to show new works by textile luminary, Carol Cassidy and Venetian Glass Artist, Trina Tygrett.
SGFA will continue the Vision Culture Lectures and have some outstanding curators participating in 2011.
The Gallery has also launched The Exploring East internship and residency, which will begin with Cambridge University students taking up two/three month internships to learn about art management.
SGFA really aims to make great art accessible in terms of actual viewing and pricing. We welcome your inquiries and invite you to visit!
Expat Women: Finally, the big question: could you ever go back to legal work?
Shalini: I still use my legal knowledge for the art world. However, if you are asking whether I would go back to practicing law, I would not unless I am forced to. I just love what I am doing now!
Expat Women: Shalini, congratulations on finding a way to build a successful business out of your passions and talent. We wish your fine art concepts all the very best!
