Taniya Dharani – a full-time artist empowering Ismaili artists and fostering a thriving art community

At the age of 16, she found herself perplexed and isolated in her desire to pursue art professionally, an unconventional choice not embraced by many. Taniya ventured onto the less-travelled path, relocating to London, UK, to pursue a BA in Fine Arts at the University of Reading, followed by an MA in Art Business. Her passion manifested in the establishment of Artany Art Gallery & Advisory, a platform dedicated to promoting emerging artists. More about Taniya here.

IsmailiMail caught up with Taniya recently for an interview.

IsmailiMail: Taniya Dharani, it’s a pleasure to have you with us. Could you share a bit about your background as a full-time artist based in London, England and any recent achievements?

Taniya: Thank you for inviting me. My artistic journey began with a strong passion for colours, shapes, and patterns, which led me to become the sole visual art student at The Aga Khan Academy in Hyderabad. A pivotal moment occurred when I interacted with His Highness the Aga Khan during an exhibition, inspiring me to pursue a career in art. I then pursued further education, earning a Master’s in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London and New York, which provided the foundation for establishing Artany Art Gallery & Advisory.

One of my recent accomplishments was having my horse artwork gifted to Hazar Imam. As for the drawing of the horse, believe it or not, it’s a freehand creation using the comparative method, an approach preferred by old master artists.

IM: That’s fascinating. Could you tell us more about Artany Art Gallery & Advisory and its mission?

Taniya: Artany Art Gallery & Advisory is a nurturing space for both established and emerging artists. We provide mentorship, guidance, internships, sponsorships, and promotions, while also offering comprehensive advisory services to art collectors. Our mission revolves around empowering Ismaili artists and fostering a thriving art community.

Under our guidance, some of our clients have also started collecting art as an investment. We have in our collection original Ismaili Gulgees, Vaikuntham Thota, serigraphs of M.F Hussain. We are currently dealing with clients who wish to add artworks in their homes, offices and hotels.

IM: Your dedication to supporting artists is commendable. Can you highlight some of the achievements and contributions of the artists featured in Artany Art Gallery & Advisory?

Taniya: Our artists come from diverse backgrounds and have made significant contributions to the art world. Many have exhibited their works internationally, including during King Charles’ coronation, and have been featured in prestigious galleries and museums. We’re proud to have supported their journey and continue to do so

IM: It’s evident that Artany Art Gallery & Advisory plays a crucial role in nurturing artistic talent. What are your future plans and aspirations for the gallery?

Taniya: Looking ahead, we remain committed to supporting Ismaili artists and expanding our reach globally. We aim to further enhance our mentorship programs, broaden our network of sponsors, and continue showcasing the remarkable talents within our community. Additionally, we aspire to publish more projects like the ‘Global Ismaili Artists’ book, which celebrates the diverse artistic contributions of our community.

IM: Before we wrap up, Taniya Dharani, could you tell our audience where they can connect with you and learn more about your artworks?

Taniya: You can find us on Instagram at @artanygallery or @taniyadharani.art. I also serve as the ‘Master Artists Experience Lead’ at Global Encounter’s Jubilee Arts in Dubai, so you can connect with me there as well. Additionally, the book ‘Global Ismaili Artists’ is available at various retailers including Waterstones, Foyles, Blackwell’s, Book Depository, Wordery, Hive.co.uk, and of course, Amazon.

IM: Before we conclude, Taniya, is there anything else you’d like to share with our audience?

Taniya: We are very proud to introduce a very exciting, first of- its kind painters/artists database on our website at https://artany.co.uk/ismaili-artists/. It’s a unique platform that celebrates the talent of Ismaili artists from around the world. If you’re an artist interested in being included, please connect with me to apply.

We’re excited to showcase the diverse creativity within our community. To effectively support Ismaili artists, I strongly propose consider collecting their artwork, sponsor their art mentorship with Artany’s artist mentors, and purchasing the ‘Global Ismaili Artist’ catalogue book from the following links, so they know they are valuable to us and are supported. The books are available at Amazon worldwide.