One of NGV's latest exhibitions showcases an ever-important collection of contemporary art, containing thought-provoking works by established and emerging artists from diverse communities across India.
Transforming Worlds: Change and Tradition in Contemporary India delves into the ways in which artists and creatives are using visual language to respond to India’s rapidly changing social environment, including changing gender dynamics and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The collection features works by artists with complex intergenerational lineage to iconic artists across the region, including the Gond and Warli painters of central India; the Suthar, Jogi, Santal and Madhubani artists of northern India; and the Kalighat and Chitrakar painters of eastern India.
Their works invite exposure to local experiences happening in current-day India, including urbanisation, environmental degradation, shifting gender dynamics and public health issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Favourites include large-scale examples of patachitra (picture cloth) storytelling scrolls, traditionally used by travelling performers in Odisha and West Bengal. Emerging patachitra artist Sonia Chitrakar uses the scroll format to document the introduction and spread of COVID-19 throughout India in 'COVID scroll 2020'.
The collection also features intricate drawings of the Jogi family, who first developed their distinctive style of art during the 1970s to depict narratives traditionally told through devotional songs.
Tony Ellwood AM, Director of the National Gallery of Victoria, says: “India is home to many distinct indigenous and regional communities renowned for having developed unique artistic styles that incorporate specialised materials and techniques. With many of the works on display having been created in the last three years and in response to pressing local and international events, some of which are still ongoing, this exhibition is a timely celebration of the continuing relevance of centuries-old artistic traditions.”
Transforming Worlds: Change and Tradition in Contemporary India is a free exhibition and will be on display from April 9 to August 28 2022 at the NGV.