SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.- Canvas & Bronze is an online gallery based in San Francisco presenting a distinct and deeply personal approach to art collecting. Founded by Vinit and Vidhi Verma, the gallery reflects more than three decades of international travel, discovery, and cultural engagement. The result is a highly curated selection of works that range from fine art to historical artifacts, ethnographic objects, and rare collectibles, each selected with an eye toward emotional resonance and provenance.

The gallery’s origins are rooted in the founders’ personal journey. Vinit, a technologist in the energy sector, and Vidhi, formerly active in the aviation industry, spent years abroad for work. During their time overseas, they made a habit of seeking out small galleries, local artists, and hidden cultural venues. With limited leisure time during business travel, often just a few hours in an unfamiliar city, the couple chose to explore galleries, antique shops, and artist studios. The pieces they acquired stood out not only for their aesthetic merit but also for the sense of place and memory they captured.

Over time, the couple’s home became filled with a diverse collection of objects that resonated with their personal experiences. These weren’t trophies or investments, but meaningful mementos. Friends and visitors began to take interest, and the idea of creating a more public platform gradually took shape. What had once been a private, evolving collection eventually transitioned into a gallery.

A collection across 25 countries
Now presented online, Canvas & Bronze invites viewers to explore a wide-ranging collection that includes works from over 25 countries. Pieces span genres, media, and time periods, including antique silver from India, contemporary sculpture from North America, fossils from Morocco, and ceremonial objects from Oceania and Latin America. A central theme of cultural exchange and rediscovery runs throughout the collection.

Among the contemporary offerings are Daniel Allen Cohen’s Science of Art series, which humorously reimagines the periodic table through the lens of travel, food, and pop culture, as well as minimalist works by Jay Kelly. Historical material includes a Standard Oil share certificate from the 19th century, while ethnographic items such as Maori warrior figures and Chilean decoupage reflect traditional craftsmanship and cultural symbolism. The gallery also features standout fine art selections by artists such as Terry McCue, Thierry Poncelet, and Roberto de Fortino.

Each object – whether ancient or contemporary – carries a layered sense of identity. The gallery embraces these diverse voices without restricting itself to a specific period or school, allowing collectors to follow their intuition rather than a fixed artistic narrative.

Personal connection resonates
The unifying element in this eclectic mix is the personal connection that drives acquisition and presentation. Vinit Verma, who serves as the gallery’s principal curator, describes the selection process as intuitive. “A work either speaks to you or it doesn’t,” he notes, emphasizing the importance of emotional engagement over academic categorization.

To facilitate this spirit of discovery, the gallery website offers several avenues for exploration. In addition to traditional artist and collection pages, visitors can browse through an interactive map that links artworks to their country of origin. A “Surprise Me” function adds an element of chance, echoing the serendipitous nature of the gallery’s founding.

A newly launched website
The gallery’s shift to an online format has expanded access while maintaining the founders’ hands-on approach. Private viewings can be arranged by appointment, and international shipping is available.

Canvas & Bronze is guided by a mission to connect people with art that enriches their lives. More than a marketplace, the gallery functions as a bridge between cultures, histories, and individual experiences. In each acquisition, the buyer becomes part of the artwork’s evolving story.