🇮🇳Indian Art – 1350 to Present Unit 8 – Contemporary Indian Art: 1947-Present

Historical Context and Independence

• India gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947 led to a new era of artistic expression and exploration
• Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 resulted in mass migration, violence, and trauma that deeply influenced artists
• Post-independence period saw a rejection of colonial art education and Western academic styles in favor of indigenous traditions and modernist experimentation
• Artists sought to create a new national identity and cultural heritage through their work while grappling with the challenges of nation-building and modernization
  • Explored themes of nationalism, identity, and social justice in their work (M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza)
• Government support for the arts increased through the establishment of cultural institutions and art education programs (National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi, 1954)
• International exposure and recognition of Indian art grew through participation in major exhibitions and biennales (Venice Biennale, 1954)

Key Artists and Movements

• Progressive Artists' Group (PAG) formed in 1947 in Bombay (now Mumbai) pioneered a new modernist art movement
  • Members included F.N. Souza, M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, and K.H. Ara
  • Rejected academic realism and embraced abstraction, expressionism, and Indian folk art traditions
• Bengal School of Art, led by Abanindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose, promoted a revival of traditional Indian art forms and techniques
  • Influenced by Japanese and Chinese art, as well as Indian miniature painting and folk art
• Baroda School of Art, founded by K.G. Subramanyan in the 1950s, emphasized the integration of art and craft traditions
  • Students included Gulammohammed Sheikh, Bhupen Khakhar, and Nilima Sheikh
• Bombay Progressive Artists' Group (PAG) disbanded in the 1950s, but its members continued to be influential figures in Indian art
  • M.F. Husain became known as the "Picasso of India" for his bold, modernist paintings
  • F.N. Souza's expressionistic works explored themes of sexuality, religion, and politics
• Other notable artists of the period include Tyeb Mehta, Akbar Padamsee, Ram Kumar, and V.S. Gaitonde

Themes and Influences

• Identity and nationalism were major themes in post-independence Indian art as artists sought to define a new cultural identity
  • M.F. Husain's iconic paintings of Indian gods and goddesses, as well as his depictions of Indian history and mythology
• Social and political commentary became increasingly prominent in the 1960s and 70s
  • Artists like Sudhir Patwardhan and Nalini Malani addressed issues of poverty, inequality, and political corruption in their work
• Feminism and gender politics emerged as important themes in the 1980s and 90s
  • Artists like Arpita Singh, Navjot Altaf, and Nilima Sheikh explored female identity and experience in their work
• Environmental concerns and the impact of globalization and consumerism have become major themes in contemporary Indian art
  • Subodh Gupta's installations using everyday objects comment on the changing nature of Indian society and culture
• Influence of Indian philosophy, spirituality, and mythology continued to be a significant source of inspiration for many artists
  • S.H. Raza's geometric abstractions were inspired by tantric art and philosophy
• Western art movements like cubism, surrealism, and abstract expressionism also had a significant impact on Indian artists
  • Tyeb Mehta's "Diagonal" series was influenced by the fragmented forms of cubism

Techniques and Mediums

• Painting remained the dominant medium in post-independence Indian art, with artists experimenting with new styles and techniques
  • M.F. Husain's bold, gestural brushstrokes and vibrant colors became a hallmark of his style
  • Akbar Padamsee's "Metascapes" series explored the relationship between form, color, and space
• Printmaking, particularly lithography and etching, gained popularity in the 1960s and 70s
  • Krishna Reddy was a pioneer of viscosity printing, a technique that allowed for multi-colored prints
• Sculpture also saw significant experimentation and innovation
  • Ramkinkar Baij's monumental public sculptures blended modernist forms with traditional Indian motifs
  • Meera Mukherjee's bronze sculptures drew on the lost-wax casting technique of tribal art
• Installation art and multimedia works became increasingly prominent in the 1990s and 2000s
  • Subodh Gupta's installations often incorporate everyday objects like kitchen utensils and luggage
  • Shilpa Gupta's multimedia works explore themes of identity, borders, and belonging
• Video art and digital media have also become important tools for contemporary Indian artists
  • Nalini Malani's "video plays" combine painting, animation, and performance to create immersive installations
  • Raqs Media Collective's works often incorporate digital technologies and interactive elements

Notable Artworks and Exhibitions

• "Zameen" (1955) by M.F. Husain, a landmark painting that depicted the struggles of rural Indian farmers
  • Established Husain as a major figure in Indian art and exemplified the Progressive Artists' Group's commitment to social realism
• "Diagonal" series (1970s) by Tyeb Mehta, a group of paintings that explored the relationship between form, color, and space
  • Influenced by cubism and Indian miniature painting, the series marked a turning point in Mehta's career
• "The Great Indian Bazaar" (1997) by Subodh Gupta, an installation that recreated a typical Indian market using everyday objects
  • Commented on the changing nature of Indian society and culture in the face of globalization and consumerism
• "Remembering Toba Tek Singh" (1998) by Nalini Malani, a video installation that explored the trauma and violence of the Partition of India
  • Drew on the short story by Saadat Hasan Manto and used animation, painting, and performance to create an immersive experience
• "Century City: Art and Culture in the Modern Metropolis" (2001) at the Tate Modern in London
  • Landmark exhibition that showcased the work of Indian artists alongside their international counterparts
  • Helped to establish Indian art as a major force in the global contemporary art scene
• "Indian Highway" (2008-2012), a traveling exhibition that showcased the work of contemporary Indian artists
  • Organized by the Serpentine Gallery in London and traveled to several international venues
  • Featured a diverse range of media and styles, from painting and sculpture to installation and video art

Global Impact and Recognition

• Indian art has gained increasing international recognition and prominence since the 1990s
  • Major exhibitions like "Century City" and "Indian Highway" have helped to raise the profile of Indian artists globally
• Indian artists are now regularly featured in major international biennales and art fairs
  • Venice Biennale, Documenta, Art Basel, Frieze
• Auction houses like Christie's and Sotheby's have also played a significant role in promoting Indian art
  • Record-breaking sales of works by artists like F.N. Souza, Tyeb Mehta, and S.H. Raza have helped to establish Indian art as a major market force
• Museums and galleries around the world have also begun to collect and exhibit Indian art more extensively
  • Tate Modern in London, Museum of Modern Art in New York, Centre Pompidou in Paris
• Indian artists have also been the recipients of major international awards and honors
  • Anish Kapoor won the Turner Prize in 1991 and received a knighthood in 2013
  • Subodh Gupta was awarded the French Legion of Honor in 2015
• Influence of Indian art can also be seen in the work of many international artists
  • Anish Kapoor's large-scale sculptures and installations have had a major impact on contemporary art practice
  • Raqib Shaw's intricate, jewel-like paintings draw on Indian miniature painting traditions

Contemporary Challenges and Debates

• Censorship and freedom of expression remain major challenges for Indian artists
  • M.F. Husain faced legal challenges and death threats over his depictions of Hindu deities, forcing him to live in self-imposed exile
  • Attacks on artists and exhibitions by right-wing groups have become more frequent in recent years
• Representation and diversity are also major issues in the Indian art world
  • Women artists and artists from marginalized communities continue to face barriers and discrimination
  • Efforts to promote greater inclusivity and diversity in the arts have gained momentum in recent years
• Commercialization and the role of the art market have also been subjects of debate and criticism
  • Some argue that the focus on high prices and celebrity has overshadowed the artistic and social value of contemporary Indian art
  • Others see the market as a necessary tool for supporting and promoting Indian artists on a global stage
• Environmental and social justice issues have also become increasingly prominent in contemporary Indian art
  • Artists like Ravi Agarwal and Sheba Chhachhi have used their work to raise awareness about issues like climate change, pollution, and displacement
• Appropriation and cultural ownership have also been subjects of controversy and debate
  • Questions have been raised about the use of traditional Indian art forms and motifs by Western artists and brands
  • Issues of intellectual property rights and cultural heritage have become increasingly important in the global art market

Resources and Further Reading

• "Indian Art Since 1947" by Yashodhara Dalmia, a comprehensive survey of post-independence Indian art
  • Covers major artists, movements, and themes from the 1950s to the present day
  • Includes extensive illustrations and analysis of key works and exhibitions
• "The Progressives: Modern Art for a New India" by Zehra Jumabhoy and Boon Hui Tan, a catalog of the landmark exhibition at the Asia Society Museum in New York
  • Features essays by leading scholars on the Progressive Artists' Group and their impact on Indian modernism
  • Includes reproductions of major works by artists like M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, and S.H. Raza
• "Body.City: Siting Contemporary Culture in India" edited by Indira Chandrasekhar and Peter C. Seel, a collection of essays on contemporary Indian art and culture
  • Explores themes of urbanism, globalization, and identity in the work of contemporary Indian artists
  • Includes contributions by artists, curators, and scholars from India and around the world
• "Midnight to the Boom: Painting in India After Independence" by Susan Bean, a survey of Indian painting from the 1950s to the 1990s
  • Covers major artists and movements like the Progressives, the Baroda School, and the Bombay artists
  • Includes extensive illustrations and analysis of key works and themes
• "Art India Magazine", a leading publication on contemporary Indian art and culture
  • Features reviews, interviews, and essays on major artists, exhibitions, and trends in Indian art
  • Provides a platform for critical discourse and debate on contemporary Indian art and its global context
• "Kochi-Muziris Biennale", a major international art exhibition held in Kochi, India every two years
  • Showcases the work of contemporary Indian and international artists across a range of media and styles
  • Provides a platform for dialogue and exchange between artists, curators, and audiences from around the world