currentMood: Give us an insight into your background and your foray into the art world.
Joe Cyril: Art has always been a part of my life. My dad was deeply involved in the Kerala art scene and even runs the Palette People Art Foundation, which hosted exhibitions, including the only art show by Kamala Das. Growing up surrounded by local Kerala art, I didn’t initially see it as a career path. I studied economics and even worked in politics. But during my college days, I volunteered for the first Kochi Biennale, and that experience was transformative. I left my corporate job at Mahindra to join the Biennale team for its second edition. That was my first professional step into the art world.
After the Biennale, I wanted to explore the commercial side of art. I joined Saffronart, where I worked for six years, first as the EA to the founder and then leading business development. This role allowed me to dive deep into new commercial models for art, including high-profile auctions like the Nirav Modi auctions. I later took a break to work as a political consultant but eventually returned to the art world, joining XXL Collective as the CEO to focus on curated commercial art projects, especially in street art. I joined them two years ago, and the first 6-8 months involved a lot of research to see what the right model was and last year we opened at the India Art Fair.
currentMood: Who were your early influences in the art world?
Joe Cyril: My dad was a huge influence, always encouraging me to think beyond the mainstream. Growing up with art at home made it a natural part of my life. The founders of the Kochi Biennale—Riyas Komu, and Bose Krishnamachari—also played a crucial role. Working with them on the Biennale, which they built from scratch, was an eye-opening experience. Dinesh Vazirani at Saffronart was another key influence, pushing me to explore innovative models within the art world.
currentMood: What’s a typical working day like for you?
Joe Cyril: My day starts with catching up on messages from clients and colleagues, often dealing with urgent matters right from the get-go. Once I’m at the gallery, I ensure everything is in order—lights, presentations, and the team. We begin with a 45-minute meeting to discuss priorities and tasks for the day. A large part of my day involves interacting with visitors, preparing for upcoming shows, handling administrative tasks, and working on social media strategy. I also spend time on sales and exploring new opportunities for growth. In addition to running the gallery, I manage XXL’s broader projects, like our art consultancy work for international airports. My day usually ends with another catch-up meeting to ensure everything is on track. It’s a demanding job, often requiring work on weekends, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
currentMood: What is the vision behind Gallery XXL and how do you select artists?
Joe Cyril:Gallery XXL was born from a desire to represent street and urban art in India. It’s the biggest art movement since pop art, and it’s been underrepresented here despite its global significance. Our vision is to bridge this gap by bringing both Indian and international street artists into the gallery space. We focus on urban contemporary art, which allows us to explore diverse artistic expressions. Our selection process is highly curatorial—we identify themes and concepts first, and then seek out artists whose work aligns with that vision. This approach lets us showcase a mix of established and emerging voices.
currentMood: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced running an art gallery in Bombay.
Joe Cyril: The main challenge was starting from scratch with a movement that wasn’t well-known in India. We had to educate the market and build everything—artists, buyers, and interest—from the ground up. Another challenge in Mumbai is, unsurprisingly, the high cost of rent.
currentMood: How do you see the contemporary art scene in India evolve and what opportunities do you see for the gallery?
Joe Cyril: The contemporary art scene in India has seen significant growth since 2000, with a dip during the 2008 financial crisis. However, in the last few years, there’s been a resurgence, with new galleries popping up and established ones expanding. The market is becoming more vibrant, and there’s a growing interest in diverse forms of contemporary art. For Gallery XXL, this means there’s plenty of room to introduce street and urban art to a wider audience and to push the boundaries of what’s considered mainstream in the Indian art market.
currentMood: What qualities or skills are essential for someone pursuing a career as a gallerist?
Joe Cyril: In India, you don’t necessarily need formal education in art to succeed as a gallerist. Experience in the industry is crucial, especially given how unique the Indian art market is compared to global markets. Networking is vital—being extroverted and engaging with artists, clients, and other art professionals can significantly help. It’s also important to be hardworking and research-driven. Understanding the history of art, especially within the South Asian context, is essential. While art schools might not focus on the Indian market, your experience and knowledge can make up for that.
currentMood: What advice would you give young professionals looking to work in a gallery?
Joe Cyril: Hard work and a willingness to absorb everything around you are key. In a gallery, you’ll encounter various aspects of the business—from artist interactions to curation, sales, and even the logistics of lighting and framing. Indian galleries often require you to wear multiple hats, so being open to learning all aspects of the job is important. Diligence and attention to detail will take you far.
currentMood: What’s the biggest misconception about working in an art gallery?
Joe Cyril: The serene atmosphere of a gallery can be misleading. Behind the scenes, it’s chaotic and stressful. People often think it’s just about displaying art and interacting with visitors, but it takes months of preparation to put together a show that only lasts a few weeks. The work behind previews and art parties is far more intense than it appears.
currentMood: How should someone just starting out in the field get their foot in the door?
Joe Cyril: Start by identifying galleries that resonate with you and look for internship opportunities. Many galleries share their programming on Instagram, so you can get a sense of their focus. Internships are invaluable—they provide hands-on experience and help you build connections in the industry. Although jobs in galleries are limited, the experience you gain through internships can set you apart when opportunities arise. I personally value practical experience over formal education, especially in this field.
currentMood: How important is a social media presence for galleries and artists?
Joe Cyril: Social media is incredibly important—it’s a powerful tool for communication and engagement. We’ve had over 800-900 visitors to our shows in a single day, thanks to social media. It’s also a democratic way to market art, and we’ve even sold artworks through platforms like Instagram. For artists, having a strong social media presence is essential, especially if they aren’t coming from traditional art school backgrounds. We extensively review artists’ social media profiles to understand their process better. It’s not about the number of followers, but about gaining insight into the artist’s work and approach.
All gallery image courtesy: Gallery XXL
Cover image: Aamir Gazi