Kavi Gupta's West Loop gallery is spacious, bright and clean. So clean, in fact, that you can actually smell it. Spotless hardwood floors and fresh white walls perfectly accentuate the bold colors and contrast the dramatic black of the pieces on display. Kavi Gupta doesn't limit his collection to strictly paintings and other wall art; he avidly shows video, sculpture, photography and performance pieces as well. The gallery consists of a large main room, a separate smaller showroom and a dark video room where viewers can sit and watch the latest video piece on display. The gallery focuses on an international mix of artists and pieces; this global focus allows the gallery to participate in a broader range of styles and cultures, with a main interest in what artists are creating "now."

Kavi Gupta, a businessman with a strong appreciation of art, opened his gallery in 1998. As a gallerist, he works with collectors to help them find and sell their pieces. What's most important to the gallery is helping the artists to get "out there" and get into collections. Since Kavi Gupta Gallery focuses on international art, it travels around the world to participate in art fairs. Shows include MACO Mexico, Mexico City; Volta Show; Basel, Switzerland; Art Forum, Berlin; and NADA Art Fair, Miami.

Fortunately for those of us who aren't afforded so many travel opportunities, Kavi Gupta features exciting shows right here in the Chicago gallery, including new work by Jeff Carter, Simon Watson, Scott Anderson, Claire Rohan, Joe Jackson and David Noonan. Be sure to scope out the Kavi Gupta Web site for more information about current and upcoming shows.

Centerstage Reviewer: Amy Wilschke