What is a more novel way than an exhibition and a book to say thanks to artists, curators, buyers and other people who became part of the journey that led to the establishment of a gallery. ‘Back to the Future’ is that novel idea through which Renu Modi, Director of Espace Gallery, expresses her feelings and thanks to all the people who intellectually, spiritually and professionally helped or guided her in establishing Gallery Espace

Back to the Future is a book documenting all the exhibitions and path-breaking curated shows organised by Gallery Espace over the last 16 years. Although Mrs. Modi does not want to call it a book, it has all the characteristics as well as shelf value of a book. It also gives the curatorial ideas of these shows in a concise way, giving a brief documentation of an artist’s works, his ideas and biographical information.

As Madhu Jain puts it, in her article, the age of 16 is full of fragrance, newness and a maturity, which gets a visual portrayal through the history of shows chronicled in this book. Espace Gallery started several new trends in the contemporary Indian art scene through its major curated shows like, Sculpture 95, The World and the Self, and Kitsch Kitsch hota hai. These 16 years have given Gallery Espace a brand name of its own in the Indian art scene.

When one looks at the history of Gallery Espace, no one can make out that its origin was based just on the passion of one person, Mrs. Modi. As she herself says, she did not have any historical understanding of art. But, as history portrays, Gallery Espace made its name not by just putting up big shows but also by promoting new faces and ideas in the Indian art scene. I can remember the vibrations created by shows like Sculpture 95 among the then young artists (including me) at that time, when no one was ready to devote a whole show to sculpture (in its traditional as well as new forms).

Back to the Future will always make one remember one’s own memories related to the events which today define Gallery Espace.