Curatorial Vision
Peace, Hope, Beauty, Inclusivity.
The Story of Indian Art
Indian artists have made a notable impact on the global stage with their works increasingly featured in major international art events like the Venice Biennale. Though there has been no dedicated Indian Pavilion in most years, Indian-origin artists have consistently participated in the exhibitions and contributed to global artistic dialogues. The 2024 Venice Biennale, curated by Adriano Pedrosa and themed “Foreigners Everywhere,” marked a significant milestone with the inclusion of 12 Indian artists. This event featured a mix of iconic figures such as Sayed Haider Raza, Amrita Sher-Gil and Bhupen Khakhar, as well as some contemporary voices like the Aravani Art Project. Their inclusion emphasized India’s role in challenging Eurocentric narratives and showcasing the artistic diversity of the Global South, particularly in addressing themes like post-colonialism, migration and environmental issues. The presence of these artworks underscores India’s growing influence in reshaping global art conversations
Of the two large galleries, one room on the first floor was the Portrait Gallery. I was thrilled to view some rare portraits painted by modern Indian masters like Jamini Roy, Ram Kumar and Francis Newton Souza. These were hung alongside works of renowned Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. This juxtaposition of celebrated artists from India and Mexico was a powerful statement. The exhibition challenged Eurocentric perspectives, offering an opportunity to “unthink” the traditional dominance of Western art. In this ongoing dialogue, India plays a crucial role, representing the cultural and artistic powerhouses of the Global South in reshaping global narratives.
India’s presence in the museum space worldwide is growing, particularly with significant antiquities showcased at major institutions. The 2023-2024 exhibition “Tree & Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India,200 BCE–400 CE” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) highlighted over 140 objects, including stone sculptures and relics from ancient monasteries in southern India. The exhibition explored how Buddhist monks and artisans used visual language to represent spiritual teachings, ritual practices, and the natural world. The title refers to the sacred Tree symbolizing enlightenment, and the Serpent is associated with protection and rebirth. This exhibition offers insight into India’s influential role in shaping global religious and artistic traditions during the early development of Buddhist art.
Indian art has significantly shaped global cultural narratives, with its presence steadily growing in international museums and art fairs. Major exhibitions like “Silk Roads” at the British Museum and Asian Bronze showed this influence. “4,000 Years of Beauty” at the Rijksmuseum emphasizes India’s historical influence through art, simultaneously tracing ancient trade routes that connected India with Asia, Europe and the Middle East. These exhibitions highlight India’s role in terms of global heritage, showcasing Alka Pande (PhD in Art History) Art Historian, Author, Curator Festival Curator 2025 4 artifacts like the 12th-century Chola Shiva Nataraja, which exemplifies the mastery of Indian bronzes and their spiritual symbolism
Additionally, Indian galleries such as Chemould Prescott Road and Delhi Art Gallery are gaining prominence at prestigious art fairs, reinforcing the narrative of Indian art’s deepening integration with the global art market. These international showcases not only highlight India’s rich heritage but also challenge Western perspectives, thus offering a more nuanced understanding of Indian culture and contemporary art movements of the modern world.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York has a significant presence in Indian art, especially in the context of modern and contemporary works. MoMA has showcased several prominent Indian artists in its exhibitions, both historically significant and belonging to recent years. Artists like V.S. Gaitonde and Satish Gujral were featured in the 1960s, marking early interactions with Indian modernism. In more recent times, the museum has presented exhibitions like “The Project for Independence: Architectures of Decolonization in South Asia, 1947–1985” and showcased contemporary Indian filmmakers through programs such as “Making Waves: A New Generation of Indian Filmmakers.”
MOMA’s collection also includes works from renowned Indian artists such as Tyeb Mehta, S.H. Raza and Bharti Kher. Their exhibitions reflect the museum’s continued focus on diversifying its global representation, highlighting important voices from South Asia within the context of modern and contemporary art
The Sharjah Biennial is a key platform in amplifying non-Western perspectives, fostering cultural exchange and addressing global socio-political issues. As a leading biennial in the region, it bridges the Arab world with the global art community. Indian artists like Gauri Gill and Dayanita Singh have been integral to the biennial, with their works exploring themes of memory and marginalized communities. Gill’s photography challenges dominant narratives of rural life, while Singh’s archival work blurs the line between documentation and art. The 16th edition, “To Carry” will continue this tradition, featuring Indian artists like Chandralekha, Rajni Perera and Pallavi Paul whose works delve into identity, kinship, and history.
Art Basel Hong Kong 2024, the largest exhibition since 2019, affirmed Hong Kong’s position as a key cultural hub and solidified Asia’s vibrant art market. Indian galleries like Tarq, Experimenter, Vadehra Art Gallery and Jhaveri Contemporary exhibited works blending traditional and contemporary themes. Shilpa Gupta’s politically charged multimedia installations exploring borders and human rights stood out, along with works by Anita Dube, Anju Dodiya and Nalini Malani. Their pieces explored themes of intimacy, love and loss while offering poignant reflections on the emotional dimensions of contemporary life.
Two exhibitions in London—at the Tate Modern and Barbican Centre—highlight the growing presence of Indian artists on the global stage. Tate Modern’s “The Other Side of the World” features Indian and Pakistani artists responding to socio-political issues like migration, post-colonial identities and environmental concerns, blending India’s traditional heritage with contemporary global movements. The Barbican’s 2024 exhibition, “The Imaginary Institution of India” showcases works by Gulammohammed Sheikh and Bhupen Khakhar, reflecting India’s socio-political changes from 1975 to 1998. It examines the shift from figurative to modern and conceptual art, exploring themes of caste, gender, urbanization and communal violence. All these exhibitions underscore India’s growing influence in the global art scene, celebrating its diverse artistic contributions and redefining global art narratives
In a world plagued by wars, terror and the increasing migration of communities that lead to alienation, the current ecosystem is becoming increasingly challenging. Art in some ways can lead to a renewal of hope which can be navigated through beauty and the release of creativity. While many perceive art as an add-on, an embellishment or mere decoration, it’s essential to remind ourselves of its true value. The creative expression of art is, in many ways, the saviour of human civilization. Its lofty idealization of beauty and the sensitization of society through prose and poetry drive the very engine of artistic expression.
History has left its mark in the art world and become a catalyst for the beginning of various art platforms and events that are prominent today. It is like The Venice Biennale, founded in 1895 to revitalize Venice’s economy and cultural prestige, aimed to position the city as a centre for contemporary art and foster 5 international, cultural dialogue. It has since become a global platform for artists to address cultural, social and political issue
Documenta was established in 1955 by Arnold Bode in Kassel, Germany to fill the cultural void left by the Nazi regime’s suppression of modern art, labelling it “degenerate.” It aimed to reconnect Germany with the international art world and promote democratic values through artistic dialogue in a post-war context. Documenta, held every five years, has become one of the most influential platforms for politically engaged art. The exhibition tackles critical global issues, and Indian-origin artist Nalini Malani’s immersive video installations have addressed gender violence, colonialism and marginalized histories. Malani’s works resonate with ongoing global conversations on women’s rights and decolonization. Notably, Documenta 11’s 2002 Platforms initiative was presented in India at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, fostering important discourse on nationalism with contributions from scholars like Mahmood Mamdani, Shahid Amin and Dilip Simeon.
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale, founded in 2010 by artists Bose Krishnamachari and Riyas Komu, was inspired by global biennales like Venice. Initiated with the support of the Kerala government, it was created to provide a platform for contemporary art in India and connect local and international art communities. It also aimed to revive the cultural significance of Kochi and the ancient port of Muziris.
The 2023 edition, “In Our Veins Flow Ink and Fire” showcased Indian-origin artists like Hetain Patel and Subodh Gupta. Gupta’s large-scale installations address themes such as consumption, labor and cultural identity, thereby fostering dialogue between local and global artistic communities. The Biennale continues to provide a space for Indian artists to engage with global art movements while reflecting on pressing socio-political themes.
In traditional Indian art, the focus was on beauty, loftiness and a harmonious blend of truth, divinity, and beauty, encapsulated in the phrase Satyam Shivam Sundaram (Truth, Auspiciousness, Beauty). Art served as a medium to express universal truths, spiritual values and transcendental beauty, elevating the viewer’s mind to higher realms of consciousness. Beauty in Indian art was defined through rasa, the emotional response evoked in the viewer, with nine primary rasas such as love, humor, and compassion. Whether in sculpture, dance, or painting, art conveyed these emotions through gestures, colours, and symbols, while also adhering to shilpa shastra—principles of proportion, symmetry and divine iconography. However, in contemporary times, art has acquired added meanings.
Dr Alka Pande
Curator, Art Historian, Author
Winter 2025
