Mongolia to many is a country somewhere in central Asia. In Western countries it is more familiar for Genghis (Chinggis) Khan, the Gobi desert, its traditional houses or gers and nomadic families, than any other features. But, it has hidden attractions and Ulaanbaatar-based, Valiant Art Gallery owner and art curator, Elisabeth Koppa has brought them to the world. From the countryside to canvas, Mongolian artists have become a collectors delight with their rich colours, diverse styles and mediums and unusual flair. Their art has been moving its way onto the international art scene over the past six and half years through 63 international exhibitions organized by Mrs Koppa.
Art has emerged from a country just 20 years into a democracy to enable its contemporary treasures to be seen by the world.
It had been a labour of love for Mrs Koppa and the fruits are evident in the growing interest and recognition of Mongolia’s artists as international talent.
Mrs. Koppa has faced many challenges in bringing the art out of Mongolia and says she did it to shed light on Mongolian culture. Her international exhibitions in New York, Chicago and Montreal, Las Vegas, London, Vigo Spain, Milan Italy, Beijing China and Dublin in Ireland have raised the profile of Mongolian art and artists.
She bases her selection of artists and their work on what she would hang on the walls of her home for galleries and exhibitions and the formula has worked well. The talented artists she has promoted include Tuya.N, Khosbayar.N, Batjargal.Ts, Erdene.D, Amarsanaa.G, Munkhtsetseg.J, Munkhjin.Ts, Enkhtavian.O, Enkhjargal.Ts, Enkhjin.Ts and Bold.Do among others and added a new dimension to the international genre of art, in particular in oriental art. One of her favourite artists, Enkhjargal.Ts is one of the 30 best painters in Asia with his bright images and unlimited fantasy. Another, Batjargal.Ts, is a realist with a beautiful touch of kindness in his very Mongolian subjects. Amarsanaa.N has simple but colorful lines in his Mongolian art. Khosbayar.N, who paints in an old Mongolian style, has had a solo exhibition in the heart of London’s art district, in Cork Street. Erdene.D brings excitement and talent to painting he paints from his soul and his paintings draw the viewers’ eye to the mystique surrounding his subjects.
She has 16 exclusively contracted and others on different agreements. Her vision has allowed the artists she has sponsored with equipment; studios, exhibitions, advertising, marketing and family support to realize their dreams. Mrs. Koppa sees promoting artists as her job and inspiration, but with high overheads. She said, "I am promoting my artist and his work. I am not only selling paintings. Returns will come in a few years of very hard and expensive work and investment".
Mrs. Koppa has built a strong client base. She says, Clients are returning and visiting me during new exhibitions or on the Internet, and they are bringing their friends and purchasing again. I have very close contact with them. Now, more and more galleries are asking me for cooperation. It will be very beneficial for my gallery to have connections around the world. I see the growth happening.
She says taking care of her galleries has been the most interesting aspect of her life in Mongolia. "This year I opened a summer gallery in addition to my city-based gallery, which I believe is the only gallery in the world on the steppes of Mongolia with an original 20-wall Nomadic Ger, about 2,000 square feet inside with 25-foot ceilings". Mrs. Koppa’s achievements after five years in Mongolia continue to have a tough side. The business of art, making contracts, helping artists understand promoting and selling art is an investment that takes time and a new concept to many Mongolian artists. The hidden side of the art industry - business such as renting space at exhibitions; advertising, printing catalogues, communication; transport, packing, travel and legal activities are still to be realized by many artists and Mongolia’s art sector and remain an important challenge in training about the business side of the industry.
Mrs. Koppa's dream is to see the fruits if her work consolidated. It will bring recognition for Mongolian art from the steppes to the best galleries and exhibitions in the world. But most importantly, it will be brought to the homes of collectors and art lovers around the world. Mongolian art is beautiful, clean, pure and colorful. It is the spirit of nature, and I love it.
Her Web site, www.mongolianartgallery.com, displays artist’s paintings and she uses Art fairs and a recent publication, Mongolian Art Adventure Along the Silk Road, to promote the artists she represents. Her unique situation acts as a natural attraction. I am also very fortunate with editorials. Wherever I go, the media finds it amazing that I have come from Mongolia.
