Indian art is moving far beyond its shores

The year 2009 has witnessed Indian art being showcased from Vienna to Japan and Berlin to New York.

Leading galleries worldwide such as Victoria Miro, Hauser and Wirth and Thomas Gibson in London, Vienna’s Gallery Krinzinger and Berlin based Gallerie Christian Hosp are hosting shows by Indian artists. Simultaneously, Sotheby’s auction of international contemporary art in November in NY had a Jitish Kallat’s work, ‘Dawn Chorus 17’, among many instances of Indian artists finding a wider representation globally.

Here are snapshots of the recent international shows of contemporary Indian art:

• Mori Museum in Japan hosted a show ‘Chalo India’. It was curated by Akiko Miki. This comprehensive exhibition presented an enchanting view of contemporary Indian art.• Hauser and Wirth is showcasing Subodh Gupta’s works.

• Thomas Gibson hosts Raqib Shaw and Rina Banerjee’s works on paper.

• Gallery Krinzinger hosts a group show of various Indian contemporary artists. The show is titled ‘Republic of Illusions’. Curated by Peter Nagy, it includes works by artists such as Sheba Chhachhi, Mithu Sen, Bharat Sikka, and Dayanita Singh among others.

• Gallerie Christian Hosp has had an Asian artists’ group show, comprising a large work by Delhi-based artist Anita Dube.

Confirming the trend to Ashoke Nag of The ET, director of the Mori Museum, Fumio Nanjo, noted: “It goes without saying that the cultural, urban and economic, developments occurring in the country today make it among the most interesting and dynamic nations in the world.”

Much research went into planning the exhibition, spanning over 60 visits to artists’ studios. Ultimately, over 100 artworks by 27 artists and artist groups - many of them new - were selected. They reflect a transformation happening at all levels of today’s Indian society and shed light on lifestyles and hopes of new-age India, providing a fascinating indication of its diverse popular and urban cultures and also address prevailing social issues, the art expert noted. Clearly, Indian art is moving far beyond its shores into uncharted territories.