GLOBAL / LOCAL. TIME AND SPACE IN CONTEMPORARY INDIAN ART

Indian society is undergoing rapid transformation, and contemporary Indian art reflects these tensions. With increasing globalization and successful educational policies in India, two reinforcing elements have converged over the past twenty years, giving rise to a new educational and economic elite. Not least, the rapid expansion of the internet has led to an explosive urbanization in India, affecting not only its rural areas. This urbanization is explored in the artistic works of Sonia Mehra Chawla, Dayanita Singh, and Bharat Sikka, depicting urbanization as an experience of speed and dynamism, as well as a transformation of living environments. George Martin PJ is also a typical representative who captures these dynamics in his imagery. The contrast between rich and poor continues to play a central role in contemporary Indian art, as seen in the works of Viveek Sharma.

The coexistence of modernity and tradition dominates the experiences of travelers in India. Therefore, the focus on historical painting techniques is very important for many artists. For example, Desmond Lazaro uses traditional miniature painting to depict contemporary themes on canvas, where the perfection and richness of detail in his technique align with a spatial conception akin to abstract modernism. In contrast, Sheher Shah employs modern techniques but remains committed to traditional visual worlds, creating beautiful and dense surfaces in his work.