🇮🇳Indian Art – 1350 to Present Unit 11 – Modern Indian Art: Institutions & Patronage

Historical Context

• India gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947 leading to a period of nation-building and cultural resurgence
• The partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 resulted in mass migration, violence, and a need for new national identities
• Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, promoted a secular, socialist, and modernist vision for the country
  • Nehru encouraged the development of modern art institutions and patronage to support this vision
• The 1950s and 1960s saw a rise in modernist art movements in India, such as the Progressive Artists' Group and the Delhi Shilpi Chakra
• Economic liberalization in the 1990s led to increased globalization and exposure to international art trends
• The rise of Hindu nationalism and the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in the late 20th and early 21st centuries has influenced the art world and cultural discourse

Key Institutions and Patrons

• The Lalit Kala Akademi (National Academy of Art) was established in 1954 by the Indian government to promote visual arts
  • It provides scholarships, organizes exhibitions, and publishes books on art
• The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) was founded in 1954 in New Delhi to house and display modern and contemporary Indian art
  • NGMA has since expanded with branches in Mumbai and Bengaluru
• State Akademis were set up in various states to promote regional art and artists
• The Jehangir Art Gallery, established in 1952 in Mumbai, has been a crucial platform for showcasing modern and contemporary Indian art
• Private patrons, such as the Tata family and the Birlas, have supported the arts through commissions, collections, and the establishment of cultural institutions
• The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), founded in 2010, is India's first private modern and contemporary art museum
• The India Art Fair, established in 2008, has become an important annual event for the Indian and international art market

Major Artists and Movements

• The Bengal School of Art, led by Abanindranath Tagore in the early 20th century, promoted a nationalist and revivalist approach to Indian art
• The Progressive Artists' Group, formed in 1947 in Bombay (now Mumbai), included artists such as F.N. Souza, M.F. Husain, and S.H. Raza who sought to create a new modernist language for Indian art
  • They drew inspiration from European modernism, Indian miniature painting, and folk art traditions
• The Delhi Shilpi Chakra, founded in 1949, included artists like Ram Kumar and Satish Gujral who experimented with abstract and semi-abstract styles
• The Madras Art Movement in the 1960s and 1970s, led by artists such as K.C.S. Paniker and S.G. Vasudev, explored regional identity and spirituality in their work
• The Baroda School, centered around the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda, produced artists like Gulammohammed Sheikh and Bhupen Khakhar known for their narrative and figurative paintings
• Nasreen Mohamedi, known for her minimalist drawings and photographs, has gained international recognition in recent years
• Contemporary artists such as Subodh Gupta, Bharti Kher, and Jitish Kallat have gained global prominence for their conceptual and multimedia works that engage with issues of identity, globalization, and politics

Artistic Techniques and Styles

• Modern Indian artists have experimented with a wide range of techniques and styles, from traditional to avant-garde
• Oil painting, introduced during the colonial period, was adopted and adapted by many modern Indian artists
  • Artists like Raja Ravi Varma and Amrita Sher-Gil used oil painting to depict Indian themes and subjects in a realistic style
• Watercolor painting, popularized by the Bengal School, was used to create luminous and ethereal images inspired by Indian miniature painting
• Printmaking techniques, such as etching, lithography, and screen printing, were used by artists like Krishna Reddy and Somnath Hore to create socially engaged and experimental works
• Abstract and non-representational styles were explored by artists such as V.S. Gaitonde and S.H. Raza, who drew inspiration from Indian spiritual and philosophical traditions
• Figurative and narrative painting, often with political and social commentary, was practiced by artists like M.F. Husain and Gulammohammed Sheikh
• Installation, performance, and multimedia art have become increasingly prominent in contemporary Indian art, as seen in the works of artists like Nalini Malani and Shilpa Gupta

Cultural and Social Influences

• Indian art has been deeply influenced by the country's diverse religious and cultural traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity
  • Artists have drawn inspiration from mythological stories, religious iconography, and folk art traditions
• The legacy of British colonialism has had a complex impact on Indian art, with artists both rejecting and engaging with Western artistic traditions and values
• The Indian independence movement and the partition of India and Pakistan have been significant themes in modern Indian art
  • Artists have grappled with issues of national identity, cultural heritage, and social justice
• The rise of feminism and women's movements in India has led to a greater representation of women artists and a focus on gender issues in art
• Globalization and the increasing interconnectedness of the art world have exposed Indian artists to new ideas and influences, while also raising questions about cultural authenticity and appropriation
• The rapid urbanization and modernization of India have been reflected in the art, with artists exploring themes of alienation, consumerism, and environmental degradation

Impact on Indian Identity

• Modern Indian art has played a crucial role in shaping and reflecting Indian identity in the post-independence era
• Artists have sought to create a distinctly Indian modernism that draws on the country's rich cultural heritage while also engaging with contemporary global issues
  • This has involved a negotiation between tradition and modernity, local and global influences
• Art has been used as a tool for nation-building and cultural diplomacy, with the Indian government promoting Indian art and artists internationally
• The representation of marginalized communities and identities, such as Dalits and LGBTQ+ individuals, in art has contributed to a more inclusive and diverse understanding of Indian identity
• The rise of regional art movements and institutions has highlighted the diversity and complexity of Indian cultural identities
• Contemporary Indian artists have increasingly challenged and subverted dominant narratives of Indian identity, exploring issues of caste, class, gender, and sexuality

Global Reception and Influence

• Modern Indian art has gained increasing recognition and prominence in the global art world since the late 20th century
• The 1980s and 1990s saw a growing interest in Indian art among international curators, collectors, and institutions
  • Exhibitions like "Indian Artists at the Centre Georges Pompidou" (1985) and "Contemporary Indian Art" at the Tate Modern (2001) helped to raise the profile of Indian art globally
• Indian artists have been included in major international exhibitions and biennales, such as the Venice Biennale, documenta, and the Gwangju Biennale
• The global success of artists like Anish Kapoor and Subodh Gupta has helped to establish Indian art as a significant force in the contemporary art world
• The market for Indian art has grown significantly, with record-breaking prices achieved at international auctions
  • However, there are concerns about the sustainability and ethics of this market-driven approach
• Indian art has influenced and been influenced by global artistic trends and movements, such as conceptual art, minimalism, and post-colonialism
• The diaspora of Indian artists and the growing number of international collaborations and residencies have contributed to a more globalized and interconnected Indian art scene

Contemporary Relevance

• Contemporary Indian art continues to engage with and respond to the complex social, political, and cultural realities of the country
• Artists are addressing issues such as religious and caste-based violence, environmental degradation, gender and sexual discrimination, and economic inequality
  • For example, the work of artists like Amar Kanwar and Shilpa Gupta engages with the ongoing conflict in Kashmir and the impact of militarization on communities
• The rise of Hindu nationalism and the increasing censorship and intimidation of artists and cultural institutions have posed challenges to artistic freedom and expression
  • Artists like M.F. Husain and T.V. Santhosh have faced controversy and legal challenges for their politically and religiously sensitive works
• The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the Indian art world, with exhibitions and events being cancelled or moved online
  • However, it has also led to new forms of digital experimentation and collaboration among artists
• The Black Lives Matter movement and the global reckoning with racism and colonialism have resonated with Indian artists and activists, leading to a greater focus on issues of caste, colorism, and discrimination
• The ongoing debates around decolonization, cultural repatriation, and the restitution of looted artifacts have implications for Indian art institutions and collections
  • There are calls for a more critical examination of the colonial legacy in Indian art history and museology
• Contemporary Indian art is increasingly intersecting with other fields, such as science, technology, and social activism, leading to new forms of interdisciplinary and socially engaged practice