‘Contemporary Art in India: At Home and in the World’ - I

Below are the succinct observations by art critic Keith Wallace on Indian art and its expanding horizons:

The context for the production of contemporary art in India is signifcantly different from that found in Canada, the consequence of an art system that is, or perhaps is not, in place there. Whereas in Canada artists have a number of options for the exhibition of their work, India has little infrastructure for the support of its artists.

There are, of course, private galleries in India, but for the most part they are conservative enterprises with vested market interests. Public galleries also exist in India, but they are few and far between, with many of them serving as rental galleries that result in exhibition programs lacking cohesion or direction, and that provide scant educational opportunities.

Having said this, India has a highly dynamic contemporary visual arts scene. Artists are well trained and well read. Yet, relative to the size of the population India is the second most populous nation in the world the number of artists is surprisingly modest, but the benefits of this is a cultural ecology that fosters close communication and a self-supportive environment. With an equally small number of critics and curators who can articulate and provide insightful analysis of the artwork being produced, much of the dialogue that does take place is primarily generated among the artists themselves, and they are generous in attending exhibitions within their own communities and not shy of frank critical feedback regarding each others work.

And it is perhaps productive to think about creative communities of artists whether they be in Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore in considering Indias contemporary art beyond a national perspective. While there is no representative or consistent style or trend that manifests itself in any of these cities, and certainly not across the country, the artists are well aware of, and connected with, the international art scene.

Painting and sculpture continue to maintain a strong presence in contemporary Indian art, but photography, video, and installation are quickly taking root within the visual arts, and have been embraced by the outside art world as some of the most significant art produced in India today. Like China, India is a growing economic and cultural force that has attracted increased interest and investment from the outside, with one benefit being the attention given to cultural production.

(Courtesy: Richmond Art Gallery)