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
6 Comments Add your own
1. Simeon Trieu | April 8th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Indians have a very mixed culture in terms of race, religion, caste, language, and ideologies. There is a rich artistic culture to be had here. After British leave and subsequent democratizing, India has had little energy to develop the art scene. While this doesn’t stop artists, their frustration at not having art schools is a sure sign that India has not been focusing on developing this part of their community (a pity as art enriches a culture’s life). The arts are often a sign of a healthy society. However, now that India doesn’t have to worry so much about “proving itself” to the world, much like China, then they can focus their efforts on improving their own culture. The arts have a way of flaring up emotions in people, both good and bad. But that’s not what India needs right now. The amount of violence, particularly in the northern area near Kashmir and Pakistan, are a sure sign that this country is still growing into its democratic pants. The arts may cause even more tension in that area, or it may be the bridge in the gap.
2. Chris Carr | April 9th, 2008 at 3:00 am
Good post.
India is new for me, while China is not, but everyone I know with knowledge of the two note that one difference is that the rich in India are really, really rich while the poor are really, really dirt poor. Whereas in China, the rich are rich but not as rich as in India, but the poor also not as poor. We will get to check this out ourselves.
With India’s super rich, business opportunities will abound for artists and artistic entrepreneurs, museums, etc., that cater to them.
3. Deanna Haskell | April 10th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I really enjoyed viewing the examples of Indian art. I could see western influences in some of the paintings in particular. It seems that there is a wide variety of mediums of art prevelant in India. Andria raises several interesting issues surrounding India finding their own art forms and styles and then giving public access to them. Artists have always travelled to different cultures and places to train. For example, artists came from all over Europe to study the great Italian masterpieces. This is one way for artists to learn different techniques and often improve upon them with their own unique style. Government patronage and museums for the public are a way for artists to create and everyone to profit from their creations.
4. Amy Linker | April 14th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
I’m surprised that India doesn’t have a heavier stake in the art industry considering that they have such a colorful culture and rich history. From their food to their clothing, India seems to be full of artistic crafts. Recently, at an event my friends and I have dubbed “Indian Prom”, I got to where the most beautiful sari, which is a traditional Indian dress for women. The sari I wore and the saris the other girls wore were so brilliant and full of detail that I would consider them art.
I looked up the artists mentioned in this post and I really like the sculptures done by Subodh Gupta. Art,of course, has been around in India since ancient times. It is too bad that its value is just now being recognized on a global scale. Many wonderful pieces have probably been lost due to this undervaluing. I look forward to seeing some of this art first hand. Also, I hope with India’s economic surge that they develop a greater appreciation of the arts and expand to include it more in its schools.
5. Tai Massion | April 15th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Loved India Prom. Andria- what a fun website glad you posted it- the Genesh with sunglasses made me laugh- http://www.indiaart.com/spotlight/vishwanath_nageshkar/paintings_by_vishwanath_nageshkar_07.html
Abhay Sardesai in NYTimes article would say this is the type of art that exploits Indian culture. So what, who says? I love India everything and would rather look at art that has some India in it, I agree with Dennna- on the Western influence in contemporary Indian art- really how many “Mother and Child” or “Embrace” pictures can you look at? Been played out. You see the west in Indian music videos and TV-Western dress, and I always want to see more Indian influences in pop-India. I will be the first to get some Indian gear when we get there, so fun.
Regarding monies in India- being upper middle class in India means having at minimum- a driver, a cook and a maid. It’s not like being upper middle class in the US, not at all. I don’t really have a sense of how it works in China- anyone? The rich in India are so rich, good, let them put their money into emerging art.
6. john patel | June 9th, 2008 at 4:59 am
There are far greater issues at stake here. Aren’t many Indian artists ‘getting inspired’ by Chinese and European artists? The marketing of exotica is a regular problem. I agree with Abhay Sardesai and other critics who are uncomfortable with this. I am an expatriate Indian and I love India but isn’t it true that many Indians are creating art that is loved by Americans and Europeans for reasons that have nothing to do with originality or quality?
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