How two Class 10 students are giving a platform for young artists to showcase their art

ILO by Vane is an initiative by two students for other students to showcase their art. The proceeds from the sale go to charity
Neharika Kishore and Vaishnavi Girish Ramdas (Pics: ILO by Vane)
Neharika Kishore and Vaishnavi Girish Ramdas (Pics: ILO by Vane)

It was her love for art that drove 14-year-old Neharika Kishore to start her lockdown venture. Along with best friend and classmate Vaishnavi Girish Ramdas, she launched an Instagram page about two months ago — ILO by Vane — that acts as a platform to showcase artwork by other young artists — mostly her friends but also those she meets on Instagram.  "These are the people who are least noticed in the art community and who don't have enough places to showcase their art," say Neharika and Vaishnavi about their decision to cap the age limit at 21.

Neharika confesses that the page, which is a virtual art gallery of sorts, was born out of sheer boredom she and Vaishnavi were experiencing during the lockdown. "I wanted to do something with art as I love it so much. I discussed with Vaishnavi and we decided to start this page," says Neharika. The girls quickly got the page up and running. They even purchased a domain with their parents' help and designed a website from scratch. "Well, it was mostly Vaishnavi who designed the website. She's the techie," says Neharika jovially.

 Dimensions of Europe by Muskan Nahata

So, how does it all work? "Before we select an artist, we ask them to send us a few of their artwork. When they are chosen, some of their art is posted on the page and we also post some information about the artist," says Neharika. Vaishnavi adds, "We then fix a price for it and upload it on the website for sale," says Vaishnavi. Any artist interested to get their artwork featured or put up for sale needs to fill up a form available on the website, the duo informs.

One unique feature of their initiative is that they allow the artist of the day to take over their Instagram page. During this time, the artists can share anything about their style and technique and answer questions from followers and fulfil special requests. "A lot of people want to know what goes into the final work of art, what the process is like and get to know the artist. It also gives the artists some exposure," says Neharika.

Koi fish in a pond by Ria Kharche

Speaking about the unique name of their Instagram page, Neharika says, "Vane is a 'ship' name for Vaishnavi and Neharika while 'Ilo' means 'joy' in Finnish." Choosing Finnish has a personal connotation for Neharika. The Sir Mutha School student expresses her desire to study art and design at the Aalto University in Finland.

But that's not all. And all the proceeds from the sale of these art pieces go to charity. "All the seven artists that we have featured have agreed to not take a commission. The entire proceeds from the sale go to the Ray of Light Foundation, an organisation working for cancer-affected children," says Vaishnavi. "We have sold around 30 pieces till now and have raised around `35,000 so far. We will be donating the money when we reach a certain milestone," adds the tenth grader.

Breaking waves by Andal Sridhar

Neharika and Vaishnavi are thrilled with the response their initiative has received from artists and customers alike. They are currently shipping these artworks across Tamil Nadu and plan to expand to other parts of the country as soon as they get orders! And they are doing all this amidst preparing for their half-yearly examinations, which they, like everyone else, have to take online.

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