A study of exploration of new mediums in art through the works of contemporary artists of India

Abstract

This thesis is a study of exploration of various materials and mediums used by contemporary Indian artists in their works. This study is not a photo documentation of works of all the artists from post-independence time but a serious attempt to understand and assimilate the works of all those artists who have delved into alternative mediums of expression for their creative process. There are five chapters in this thesis. In the first chapter, the practice of varied mediums in Indian Art is discussed with historical context till Independence of India. The influences behind the use for the newer or different mediums in Indian art before independence are discussed with reference to the writings of art historians. In the second chapter various mediums used by contemporary Indian artists post-independence are explored. The factors like globalization, technological advancement, and Western art influence and socio-political-economic changes that have affected the trends in Indian contemporary art are examined. In the third chapter the role of Art Schools, Galleries and Art Critics in promoting contemporary Indian Art is examined. There are numerous factors that have added in the growth of Indian contemporary art like workshops, art fairs, residencies, biennale, seminars, writings in newspaper, catalogues, magazines, journals and books. All such factors are elaborated in this chapter. The fourth chapter studies the use of new mediums in the works of the prominent contemporary Indian artists like: Vivan Sundaram, Nalini Malani, Navjot Altaf, Ranbir Kaleka, N. Pushpamala, Anita Dube, Ravinder Reddy, Subodh Gupta and such. The progress in the works of these artists is analysed with examples from their work. The fifth chapter covers the new materials and mediums used by various Indian contemporary artists with examples of their artworks, like digital photography, installation art, video art, performances, etc.