Team Lead

Company Profile

AstaGuru, Mumbai's Premier Online Auction House, seamlessly blends sophistication with expertise, defining its identity through a profound commitment to artistic preservation. Since its establishment in 2008, AstaGuru has emerged as a pioneer among online auction houses, specializing in art, antiques, and collectibles. Beyond being a mere e-auction website in Mumbai India, AstaGuru is a curatorof experiences, a guardian of cultural legacies and a beacon for those who value the profound richness of artistic expression.

Our name, AstaGuru, is a fusion of the Italian word "Asta" for auction with "Guru" symbolizing our unwavering dedication to the art of auctioneering. Each meticulously curated catalogue guarantees authenticity, provenance, rarity,artistry, and craftsmanship, ensuring a distinctive and unparalleled experience.

AstaGuru has evolved into the preferred destination for original artworks and collectibles, achieving world record prices for revered artists like A. Ramachandran, Jeram Patel, AntónioXavier Trindade, M F Husain, and more. We joyously celebrate and seek custodians for timeless works that embody defining aesthetic movements in India.

Job Title:
Team Lead - Art Research

Location:
Mumbai

Reporting to:
Head- Data Research

Position Summary:

We are seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Art Researcher/Historian to join our team. The ideal candidate will have an in-depth understanding of art history,including periods, movements, and artists, and will be able to conductthorough research, analyzeartworks, and presentfindings through publications, presentations, and exhibitions. A strong awarenessof the gallery ecosystem, blue-chip artists, and both historic and contemporary exhibitions is essential.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Manage and mentor a team of 3–4 art researchers, ensuring effective task delegation, progress tracking, quality control, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment aligned with project goals.
• Conduct in-depth research on various art movements, periods, blue-chip artists, and individual practitioners.
• Analyze artworks to understand their historical, cultural, social, and commercial contexts.
• Maintain and update knowledge of current developments in the global and Indian art world, including galleries, art fairs, and major exhibitions.
• Identify and evaluate emerging and established artists for internal review; prepare Excel/PPT presentations for management consideration.
• Research and document artworks, including provenance, publication history, comparables, exhibition history, and private collections.
• Conduct book research to archive painting references and source critical material on key artworks.
• Support PR, Content, and Publishing Departments with detailed artist and artwork research on an ad-hoc basis.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the contemporary and secondary art market, including major gallery and auction activity.
• Research exhibition history and archive visual references from notable exhibitions and collections.
• Research collectors and significant private collections as potential consignors and sourcing channels.

Additional Tasks:

• Assist Client Relations team by identifying and documenting artworks.
• Analyze auction calendars (e.g., Christie's) to study global auction trends and flow.
• Monitor activity across international galleries and institutions for curatorial insights and artist tracking.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Art History,Fine Arts, Journalism, or a related field
• Master's or Ph.D. in Art History or a related field is a plus
• 8 - 10 plus years proven experience in art research, museums, galleries, auction houses, cultural institutions or exhibition development
• In-depth knowledge of art history, museology, and contemporary gallery landscape
• Familiarity with blue-chip artists and knowledge of major exhibitions and institutions
• Experience in cataloguing, documenting, and archiving artworks
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint for documentation and presentation
• Understanding of market trends in the primary and secondary art market
• Strong research and communication skills
• Ability to present complex information clearly and confidently
• Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of handling multiple projects
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across departments

Interested candidates may send their detailed resume' to or may reach out to Ms. Sonali Gaikwad