The story of Goa

Subodh and Sharada Kerkar talk about revolutionising contemporary art at Museum of Goa

13 Mar 2025

Art is a medium of expression. It is a tool, which, in the wise words of the multidisciplinary artist Subodh Kerkar, “Can make a happier, plural, tolerant society.”

Materialising the concept, a forward-thinking initiative Museum of Goa in Pilerne by Subodh and Sharada Kerkar unravels as a transformative step toward museum design. The museum exhibits the history of Goa in an unconventional way with an emphasis on promoting local and contemporary artists.

“We believe in giving artists complete creative freedom. While we provide a brief concept grounded in Goa’s history and culture, artists are encouraged to interpret this through their personal lens.” — Subodh Kerkar

Nostalgia on canvas

Created in 2015, the museum is a studio space transformed into a contemporary art gallery with the expertise of architect Dean D’cruz. “If you go to museums of history anywhere in the world, they show old artifacts, sculptures, texts, weapons, costumes etc. And through all this, one narrates history. But here, my way of making museums is completely different. I create museums of ‘history‘ but there is nothing ’old’ in these museums.” shares Subodh, Founding Director, MOG. With a diverse repertoire, Kerkar experiments with various mediums such as still photography, videography and sculptural installations. His works are heavily washed by the sea and are striking commentaries on socio-political and religious issues.

Challenging the idea of ‘elitism’ around contemporary art in everyday discourse, the Museum of Goa is designed to break the barriers and provide access to one and all. It celebrates the region’s history and culture with a new outlook towards museums and fostering conversations and appreciation for the arts.

Expanding on the same thought, Sharada Kerkar, operational head of MOG and co-founder of Children Arts Studio says “Our founder’s guiding principle for our curatorial policy is simplicity, much like the profound yet accessible poetry of Saint Tukaram. This approach allows us to connect to a wider audience who were not initiated in appreciating contemporary art.”

The museum establishes its position as an institution for the people and by the people, focused on propelling the ideas of contemporary art. “As an art institution dedicated to promoting art and artists, we believe in giving artists complete creative freedom. While we provide a brief concept grounded in Goa’s history and culture, artists are encouraged to interpret this information through their personal lens, responding from their unique experiences,” remarks Sharda.

A masterstroke

The exhibition Histories of Goa, a permanent display at the museum, is curated by Subodh Kerkar and features works of over 20 local and national artists. Here, patrons are witness to the museum’s permanent collection that examines the region’s history through a contemporary lens.

Sharada shares, “It highlights Portuguese rule, cultural exchanges during colonisation, significant historical events under various rulers, and contemporary themes like fish, bread, and oceanic stories. It also includes a section ‘Goa Nostalgia’ that captures the serene coastal and riverside landscapes, village life, and Goan people, allowing us to appreciate the changes and continuity in the cultural and natural landscapes of the region.”

Comprising over 150 artworks in the permanent exhibits, the curation extends an immersive experience into Goa’s cultural heritage. Connecting art with a larger audience, the museum is designed not merely as a repository of objects but a laboratory of exploration.

What’s next?

After the Museum of Goa, Subodh intends to go forward with a similar model and explore different narratives across the country in his upcoming projects. “My next museum is a beer museum in Goa,” exclaims the artist.

As an active social media user, Subodh plans to continue creating digital art — mainly focused on the local fisherfolk — narrative untold stories and scenarios.