emerging contemporary indian art artists who are boldly redefining the art scene
Artists of contemporary art in India today are redefining the art scene and presenting their own ideas to the worldly eye through their art. These artists have mastered their ability to work in various mediums and styles. Presented below are some of the contemporary Indian art artists who are boldly redefining the art scene by merging the old and new ways of creating art.
1. Raqib Shaw
Born in 1974, in Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) Raqib Shaw is a painter and sculptor. He completed his M.A. (2001-2002) and B.A. (Honours) in Fine Art, at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London. His opulent and fantastical images are deeply personal and interactive. The artist draws inspiration from mythology, poetry, theater, science, natural history, and religion.
2. Valay Shende
A sculptor and artist, Valay Shende was born in 1980, in Nagpur, Maharashtra. He received his Diploma in Art Education in 2000 and completed his B.F.A in sculpture in 2004 from the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai. His body of work depicts present-day India. The artist's sculptures are built out of non-traditional materials including metal discs, pocket watches, and copper-plated fiberglass. He often merges video art and sculpture installations to present his ideas.
Jiten Thukral (b. 1976, Punjab) and Sumir Tagra (b. 1979, New Delhi) are a Delhi-based artist duo. They are known for their works on different mediums of painting, gaming, archiving, and publishing. Thukral & Dogra question the Indian identity and global consumer culture. Through their studio, this duo has presented new ways of expressing art and fostering creativity.
Born in Kolkata in 1978, Mousumi Biswas is a painter and sculptor. She completed her Bachelor of Visual Art (painting) from the Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata in 2003. Her works are realistic in style and her preferred choice of medium is fiberglass. The artist uses unique tones and colours to depict her subjects.
Meetali Singh, born in 1978 is a painter and printmaker. She completed her M.F.A. (Graphic Arts) from the M.S. University of Baroda and later completed her B.F.A. (Painting) from Banaras Hindu University. The artist's works have a mystical yet realistic and dream-like feel to her paintings. She captures her being in her works in a surrealistic style by presenting an individual narrative through her art.
Born in 1961, Chandra Bhattacharjee is a contemporary Indian artist from West Bengal. The artist graduated from the Indian College of Art and Draughtsmanship in 1986. The artist began his career as a billboard artist and later worked as a graphic designer with The Economic Times. Bhattacharjee's works are influenced by rural and tribal themes. His creations showcase the coexistence of humans, animals, and surreal creatures in harmony.
Born in Odisha, in 1970, Jagannath Panda completed his B.F.A in Sculpture at B.K. College of Arts and Crafts in 1991, and his M.F.A in Sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University, Baroda in 1994. The artist is known for his interdisciplinary approach to creating his art. His works are realistic yet simple in style and are based on his personal experiences both as a rural migrant and as a city dweller.
Born in 1978, in Kaithal, Haryana, Vibha Galhotra is a conceptual artist. She completed her B.F.A (Graphics) from the Government College of Arts, Chandigarh in 1999, and her M.F.A (Graphics) from Kala Bhavan in Santiniketan in 2002. Galhotra explores the themes surrounding social and economic issues like climate change, capitalism, consumerism, and globalization through her art. Vibha’s craftsmanship is a reflection of her love for art.
9. L N Tallur
Born in 1971, in Karnataka, L N Tallur is a well-known contemporary artist from India. He got his B.A. (Painting) at the Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA) at Mysore University in 1996 and pursued an M.A. (Museology) at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in 1998. His works range from sculptures to site-specific installations, and interactive work. Through his art, Tallur expresses his concerns about anxiety, fears, and desires that shape history, colonialism, and globalization.
Born in 1969, Suryakant Lokhande is a multimedia artist. His works are a blend of rural and urban hybrid cultures. The artist completed his secondary schooling and was later admitted to the J.J. School of Art. Suryakant uses unconventional materials like old wood doors, leather, fiberglass, or waste plastic for his sculptures. Pop culture has been a great influence on the artist.
Contemporary artists from India are making bold choices when it comes to expressing their thought processes and uniquely telling their stories. They are changing the narrative and blending the traditional techniques with their own. These talented and emerging contemporary Indian art artists are bringing change and leading the way forward in the present art scene; pushing boundaries and exploring new methods to get inspired and constantly redefining what art can be, should be, or could be.
