Curator, Gallerist Iranian-Canadian Vida Heydari is content as she walks around her Vida Heydari Contemporary Art Gallery, which recently completed a year of opening its doors for contemporary artists and art connoisseurs. “It was a difficult situation to open a new gallery during the Covid but then an artist doesn’t stop creating because the world has stopped. Everyone was working in their own way,” said Vida.

Vida was exposed to art very early in her life by her mother, who is an artist. “At the age of five, I made my first oil painting, and many other series of events embedded art in my life. After more explorations, I became more fond of Contemporary forms of art, rather than traditional, hence I started VHC, Vida Heydari Contemporary.”

VHC celebrates art by partnering with artists, promoting their work and connecting them to art lovers. The gallery showcases works by local and international artists and through its collateral programs aims to contribute to the cultural fabric of Pune city.

“It was a book I read, which happened to be about Osho that touched me so much that I had to visit India. My journey in this country introduced me to Osho. My therapeutic experiences in Pune and at the Osho International Meditation Centre had me return to India over and over again,” said Vida on Pune as her choice of city to be in.

“When I made the decision to move to Pune, many of my artist friends told me that there is no exclusive space for us artists to meet in this city. One of my goals is to contribute to the cultural fabric of Pune city. VHC is now a space that brings together the art community of art lovers, artists, collectors, art learners, and many more to engage with the help of food and art,” she said, “I enjoy how perceptions about art vary from person to person. With so many different ways of visual communication and exploration, I admire how diversely and interestingly, artists explore various art forms.”

Her experience has been challenging as a woman in business, with men dismissing her ideas and needing another man’s verification of her thoughts. “Only by being more firm and assertive, I have been able to work with men. Shockingly, I have also experienced bullying from women and I believe that women should support other women,” she added.

VHC also celebrates the art of fine cuisine with its restaurant. Attention to detail is the path to quality. VHC represents global artists, with international standards, perfectly matched with versatile and beautifully crafted dishes and drinks at VHC restaurant. VHC uses all-natural ingredients for everything in the menu, from food to beverages. Our curated menu has colourful dishes and artisanal beverages, which I believe is a form of art in a plate or glass.

The experience of engaging with art is enhanced by the cuisine on offer, where the restaurant serves as a space of encounter, conversation and reflection.

VHC | Vida Heydari Contemporary | Marvel Alaine, Lane 8, Koregaon Park, Pune, India

Contact: 08530860888