India’s Art, Booming and Shaking
April 8th, 2008
Submitted By: Andria Greenlee
In a country where the average annual household income amounts to a mere $820 dollars, it is hard to believe that the demand for expensive, contemporary Indian art has never been so high. According to this article from the New York Times, the Indian art world is exploding, with prices that have increased tenfold since 2002. Artwork by India’s hottest contemporary artists such as Atul Dodiya and Subodh Gupta are being snatched up by local and international art collectors for hundreds of thousands of dollars, often exceeding price tags of Western counterparts.
As Indian art is gaining popularity on the international art scene, galleries in Mumbai and New Delhi are springing up everywhere. International exposure has picked up as many high end galleries and renowned museums in New York, Paris, and Switzerland have been showing Indian art. Dealers and curators from all over the world are heading to India to search for new talent and pick up trendy pieces for their customers. Interestingly, a large chunk of the customer base for this art is nonresident Indians who have made their fortunes abroad and wish to invest in a piece of art that represents their culture and heritage.
Despite the millions of dollars pouring into the art world, it is mostly the gallery owners and artists that are reaping the benefits. India falls far behind most countries in terms of art schooling and museums, and most popular Indian artists have had to go abroad to study their craft. Without resources available at home, how will Indian art evolve into its own style and genre? In addition, how is India going to really solidify their standing as an artistic society without investing in museums that enable the majority of the poorer Indian population to access these Indian masterpieces? If India really wants to pump up their credibility in the art industry the next step is for the government to recognize the need for proper museums to preserve the works of today for generations of artists and Indians to come.
Check out this Indian Art website to see some of the beautiful Indian works of art for yourself:
Entry Filed under: China, India, Pre-Departure
13 Comments Add your own
1. Emily Schaapveld | December 28th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
India’s education system is focused on the sciences and engineering. As Professor Singh mentioned in an earlier India meeting, most college graduates are either doctors or engineers. In the U.S., we have hundreds of liberal arts colleges that are almost unheard of in India. In order for the country to gain a true appreciation for the arts, its people need to be exposed to it through education. India’s current economic success can be attributed to the number of highly educated engineers, doctors, and more recently, businessmen that were born from a very focused education system. India’s history and culture can provide an outstanding reference for some beautiful artwork, so hopefully India will soon see the potential and support the work of its native artists.
2. Erika Bylund | January 28th, 2010 at 11:52 am
India does have a historical reputation for its artwork- bronze castings, iron workings, architecture, etc. However, it seems the door is wide open for India to create artwork the reflects the evolution of the country from its ancient and colonial roots to its present day renaissance from its own perspective. There is something to be said about Indian artists creating the image of themselves that they want the world to see.
For example, a typical perception of a busy Indian city like Mumbai might be of a city that is crowded, dirty, loud, busy, and colorful. Take a look at the following paintings of Anwar Husain by following the link in the original post. His paintings of Mumbai reflect a very different image that seems to contradict the images often portrayed in print and digital media. His paintings depict the Mumbai streets as monochromatic, dark, vacant, quiet, and and metropolitan. This image completely contradicts a common presumption about big Indian cities and serves to offer a different perspective on the nature and character of present-day Mumbai. It is an image of a city that has arrived; the image reflects an almost traditional western metropolitan area. What does this communicate to the viewer about Mumbai?
It’s not a question of whether or not India has the artistic arsenal, it’s a matter of how India and its artist will use art today to communicate to its own country and the global community how it sees its self and how it wants to be seen. Art offers a window into the full dynamic of what India is and is becoming. The market that is forming for this artwork will amplify the messages and the images and give credibility to the messages. How will India use its art to create its modern day self?
3. Catherine Kristensen | February 6th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
The rich landscape and culture of India provides awesome inspiration for one artistic medium in particular - photography.
The bright colors and beautiful people of this country provide amazing subjects for even the most amateur photographer. A day of snapping photos in any of India’s cities lends itself to the creation of many images that are framable (and likely sellable!).
I imagine that dealers and curators from all over the world are heading to India and choosing to pursue the work of those that have an eye and can capture the art and beauty of nature. Through the lens of a local, or a traveling photographer, the spirit of the Ganges is captured, or the playful nature of a child is captured. Photos as simple as those of the local fruits and spices create images that tell stories, leaving Westerners to long for that sort of color and variety in their own life.
Many view architecture as art, and photos that can capture the varied architecture of India are likely to be hits as well. The Taj Mahal, coastal sunsets, local plumerias in bloom or an elephant at a festival also make great subjects.
If one can’t travel to India, perhaps a photo on their office wall (ideally purchased at a premium to support a local Indian artist!) can help to spark mental images of the country’s rich and varied culture.
4. Phil Hamer | February 7th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
There is one line in this post that really bother me, “How will Indian art evolve into its own style and genre?” Hello?! Why do you think every photographer, interior decorator, painter, clothing designer, culinary artist, etc. looks to India for inspiration. I can tell you it is not because India is lacking it’s own artistic style and genre. It is because art is everywhere in India and, amazingly enough, they do not need to go into a museum to find India’s artistic style for inspiration.
Sure, India may not have the museums that San Fransisco and New York have, but maybe India doesn’t need western ideas of an “artistic society” with large overpriced galleries and misunderstood poets deciding what is or is not credible art.
Museums do a good job of preserving art and showcasing culture, but India is one Asian country that has done a good job preserving and showcasing their culture without the need to box everything up in glass display cases. Furthermore, I do not think that visiting modern art galleries is where India’s poor fall on their Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
In my opinion, India wears art on her sleeve. Art is not hidden in the marble walls of a museum. It is on the edifice of Hindu temples, on the patterns of the sari, in the mixture of the spices of a good masala, in the street markets, at an Indian wedding… these are the real “Indian masterpieces” and the Indian population already has access to them.
5. Jason Silver | February 14th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Indian art has been heavily influenced by its deep cultural beliefs and practices. The three main periods for India art are the Ancient Period (3500BCE-1200CE), the Islamic Ascendancy (712-1757), and the Colonization Period (1757-1947). These periods greatly changed the style and form of Indian Art over the centuries. The affinity with Indian art is certainly growing. The history, tradition, and culture that is infused with the bright colors and fabrics of contemporary India all combine to form a unique artistic style. I am excited to view and hopefully learn more about Indian Art along our journey.
6. Danielle Steussy | February 15th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
With such an emphasis on science and technological development in India, I’m actually surprised that so much money is pouring into artwork. That’s wonderful to hear and I hope that art, design and creativity can someday balance out the pressures of students to become doctors and engineers.
I agree with Phil though about India not needing to develop its own genre of art. India has such a rich, wonderful, and highly distinct history, that its artistic genre is a not a development but rather an establishment. What I’m really interested in finding out more about is how the art is evolving into contemporary design, particularly in advertising and other graphics.
7. William Ary | February 21st, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Artwork’s value is subjective. I am glad to hear that Indian artists are making money, but I bet most of them (just like in the USA) cannot make ends meet selling art alone. That does not mean people do not value art, they just value food shelter and money to pay bill more. As Indians gain more dispensable income, they will be able to spend money on art.
As a side note, I’d like to say great art is not always expensive and does not have to be bought. People who have the luxury to step outside working to survive will pay, but the poor will always have their own art. Often, I find that it is the art that the poorest people create for themselves is the most beautiful and communicates the most about the human experience.
8. Tim Lynds | March 5th, 2010 at 11:38 am
Just as Will mentioned, people want and need the basics (food, water, etc) first before they can start focusing on luxuries such as fine art. Sure, no matter if you are rich or poor, you can appreciate and love art, but that is not to say you want to study it or can make enough money to live by creating it. Creating and viewing art can be a great source of personal pleasure and spirituality, but it often does not pay the bills.
Many Indians are stuck in a poverty level that we as relatively wealthy Americans cannot fully grasp. While I agree that India should have more museums and art schools, it should address the needs of the super poor first before investing in these assets. I personally do not think a museum or art school will benefit a kid in the slum because these kids are already making their own art.
9. Chase Janvrin | March 8th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
This is a fascinating topic! Can you imagine how the history books will look upon India if the defining characteristic of their entry into the 21st century is that they traded the artistic history of the oldest continuous culture in the world for capitalist success?! Similar to an earlier post touching on the significance of Bollywood, I think it would be a tragedy if India let its focus on this aspect of Americana get in the way of staying true to themselves. The notion that a country, any country, didn’t have museums or some type of “art infrastructure” had never crossed my mind until now. I love art museums and go to one every chance I get. I hope everyone has a life so priveledged that they have that opportunity. And you’re right, the Indian government MUST step up and do what’s needed to preserve the Indian influence and perspective to the art world.
10. Michael Minasian | March 10th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Indian art is by no means a new or strictly modern innovation. However I think the point of the article is that it is more recent that the modern art that is being produced is being recognized and is turning into boatloads of cash. This is not to say that ancient art isn’t ALSO highly prized, but more recently art was the not the first thing people thought of from modern India. This seems to be changing. It seems some investment in art infrastructure as Chase suggests would be a good idea to continue to grow the art market.
11. Jordan Wente | March 14th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
It makes sense that Indian art is exploding. The culture and diversity in India provide inspiration that will most likely translate into fascinating artwork. Even if Indians have to go abroad to study the craft, their culture and experience remain with them allowing Indian art to still evolve into its own style. I think that even if education is provided within the country the style will most likely be similar to the art produced from artist who went abroad to study. Outside influences will still impact the creative spirit of the artists as India continues to integrate with the rest of the world.
Most schools in India are base around the hard sciences because this is where they see the most future potential. I think if demand for Indian art continues to increase education in this field will evolve as a result. If the industry continues to grow so will the available options for education. The US has the opportunity to offer such education in this field because of economic prosperity and the same is likely to be true in India.
12. Chris Phippen | March 15th, 2010 at 9:08 am
As for the question of how Indian art will evolve into its own style and genre, my first thought mirrors Jordan’s. I am by no means a student of art, though I appreciate the art I’ve been exposed to. That said, I would imagine that an art school wouldn’t focus on a particular style but focus more on teaching the student to tap into their own experiences, perceptions, emotions, and perspectives to help them shape their own individual style. If that’s a correct assumption, Indian art will certainly evolve into and probably already has its own style because the factors that shape the style of the artists are likely unique to India.
I would also echo some of the points that Tim and Chase made above. On one hand, the Indian government should step in and invest in some art infrastructure to help preserve this cultural asset. But on the other hand, India knows poverty to an extent and severity that I don’t pretend to grasp, and shouldn’t that be a priority? How does one weigh such things, and who does the weighing?
13. Jeff | March 19th, 2010 at 11:55 am
“Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder”
When I viewed the amateur art gallery link that Andria provided, I saw widely varying levels of skill and refinement. Some I was drawn to, others didn’t elicit any emotional content. I’m sure that each and every painting drew out an emotion attachment from someone, that’s the nature of art. That subjectiveness is the basis for my comment above.
Art is not just paintings or sculptures. It is architecture, it’s clothes, its place-mats, bronze castings….. in short it’s what you make it. I don’t think that you have to be trained to be an artist, it just helps to understand different techniques.
My view is that as India becomes more and more globalized, people in other parts of the world will determine the value of art pieces, and the private sector will build galleries to sell them.
The Indian government already demonstrated that it has an appreciation of the value of its art and history. The National Museum in New Delhi has over 2,000,000 items on exhibit that spans over 5000 years. That’s a wide range.
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