Written by Lisa Pingley
As 2024 comes to an end, I look back on a year of growth, learning and resilience for the country’s art scene. Globally, artists, too, are trying to make sense of a troubled world and explain the growing challenges for humanity. Today, contemporary Indian art is a vibrant tapestry of diverse styles, mediums and themes. At the same time, traditional Indian artists are pushing their boundaries and experimenting with new art forms.
Personal connections
Pune is strongly drawn to art that reflects personal feelings and stories. This was due to the popularity of Bengaluru-based visual artist and designer Chithkala Ramesh, whose work reminds us of a forgotten time. “Once, a Pandemic” was a performance of scenes that introspected about life, grief, memory and resilience that shaped the years of the traumatic pandemic. The works served as a lyrical tool to understand the fragility of the world around us. Another cultural memory was stirred when Rashmi Ghosh presented her works based on stepwells, which hold great importance in Maharashtra.
Something old
In recent years, India’s art world has seen a significant shift in focus towards contemporary works. While contemporary art has its own charm and relevance, traditional art has been relegated to the background. Traditional art is often misunderstood as rigid and “un-innovative”. As a result, it is often neglected in favor of more experimental and modern art forms. What we fail to recognize is the skill, craftsmanship, and emotional depth and involvement that goes into creating these art forms. There are many traditional artists who have evolved within their forms and developed a contemporary style within it. I think traditional art forms get limited exposure in mainstream art galleries in India, and certainly in terms of exhibitions in Pune. In the new year, I hope that traditional artists and artisans will find more places to engage with people.
The grass is green
Talking about collector behavior in Pune, I noticed that we have a thriving art scene, often overshadowed by the attractions of big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Art buyers in Pune associate art from big cities with higher prices, prestige and possibly recognition, which is unfortunate because Pune has prestigious galleries showcasing national and international artists. At the same time, I see a promising change in the Pune art scene in the form of young collectors. After the lockdown, there has been a significant increase in the number of young buyers in the city and I think this demographic is more open to finding and buying art from Pune galleries and not rushing to buy from other metros. This habit will sustain established galleries in Pune and encourage other places to come. It has the potential to boost the city’s art scene.
Global reach
Pune is a city rich in cultural heritage and we have a lot of artistic talent, but it still lacks for national and international mainstream art events. Lack of exposure contributes to the limited presence for Pune’s art scene. This was also true in 2024. There are few opportunities for artists from Pune to engage with the global art community. Perhaps this is because we have a limited number of state-of-the-art galleries, museums, and art spaces. Pune’s art ecosystem needs to collaborate with international art organizations, galleries and festivals to develop more modern and efficient art spaces so that we can provide a global platform for international art events in our city.
Art for the Planet
Globally, there is interest in art made from waste and sustainable materials. As a gallery, we are also moving more towards supporting natural and sustainable products and the artists who work with these products. In April, an exhibition by Meenal Parkhi, who works entirely with sustainable products and creates sculptures from leftover cloth scraps and artworks from cow dung. We are also trying to promote traditional artists and hold farmers markets.
More digital works
With the rise of digital platforms, AI, social media, and online art markets, Indian artists are now more connected to global art trends and audiences than ever before. This has led to a proliferation of innovative and avant-garde art practices, from digital art and photography to installation and performance art. This trend can be seen in works coming out of art colleges and studios of senior artists. In 2025, make this an art form for the world to see. Artists are understanding digital grammar and incorporating it into their ideas and styles. We want to see more digital art in Pune in the coming year.
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