Girish Shahane is an independent writer based in Mumbai. Shahane received a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University, where he completed his M.Phil in Modern English Literature. He was an editor of the Art News Magazine of India between 1998 and 2000 and later worked as a consulting editor for the same publication. He has lectured and presented papers at venues like the NCPA and NGMA in Mumbai; the Max Mueller Bhavan, Bangalore; the Tate Modern, London; and the Art Institute, Chicago, and many others. His articles on art, film and cultural politics have been published in leading newspapers and journals in India and abroad. He writes a fortnightly column for Yahoo! India.
Mortimer and Tara are the partners of the Mumbai based gallery Chatterjee & Lal. Formed in 2003, the present gallery space is located in a Victorian era warehouse. Chatterjee & Lal has been instrumental in promoting art practices that are challenging, engaging and, above all, provide ample evidence of the strength and depth of the contemporary visual arts connected to the Indian subcontinent.
Mortimer and Tara will be involved in The ŠKODA Prize to the extent of the final exhibition set up and the catalogue creation.
Martin da Costa arrived in India in 1995 from PMG London and established the Seventy Event Media Group. Seventy EMG is globally recognized as India's leading expert in luxury and special events planning, representing both Corporate and HNI’s from across the world. Martin is recognized as one of the pioneers of the Luxury Events and Destination Management industry in India. With offices in Mumbai, Delhi and London; today, Seventy EMG has well-established individual business units - Seven Steps Wedding Management Services, The Set Design Services and very recently its Independent Properties division, with the SKODA Prize being it’s first IP.
Seventy EMG has established international standards of event design, hospitality management and event logistics management, and has played a pivotal role in establishing India as a global destination for high-level special event and destination management expertise. Seventy EMG was a founder member of the Events & Entertainment Management Association of India. The company is also a member of International Special Events Society, and the International Festivals and Events Society.
Martin, in his individual capacity, set up Olive Bar & Kitchen in 2000 along with business partner AD Singh, Henry Tham and wife Saagarika.
Aqdas Tatli is completing his Master’s in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London. He has been awarded with a Master’s Degree in Management Studies with a specialisation in Marketing from University of Mumbai. He has also worked as a Business Manager for ART India Magazine for 3 years. At present he is writing his Master’s dissertation on the Middle East Art market and simultaneously working as a freelance Art Consultant.