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The abundant cultural reservoir of India is echoed in the diverse and enthralling art forms, folk arts and crafts. Traditional Indian art is an umbrella term encompassing myriad artworks representing traditions, customs, and ideologies passed on from generation to generation. While some art forms moved towards new material options and paints, others remained unaltered by modernisation.

The term 'Conservation' means a careful approach, which comprises the processes of stabilization, preservation and often restoration, using reversible materials, which will not be hazardous to the object. Conservation can broadly be of two types.

India has witnessed many art movements; among them, the most captivating is the progressive art group formed in Mumbai in 1947. The Progressive Artists Group, or PAG, was a brief art movement where the artists challenged the existing conservative art styles.

Maqbool Fida Husain, or M.F. Husain, is recognised as the most renowned painter in the history of India. Born in 1915 in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, Husain belonged to a working-class family. Known for its rich symbolism, his canvases exude a unique Indianness with a blend of modernism. The subject matter of his narrative paintings includes popular culture, history, and mythology.

From realism to cubism to modernism and more abstract experiments, Varanasi has awakened a response from artists across ages, eras, communities and cultures.

The working mantra for all those art enthusiasts aspiring to invade into the world of art appreciation consists - Instinct and Interest. While your instinct would drive you to what you like and develop your taste in art, the interest would make you discover and learn more about the world of art.

Ram Kumar had an inclination towards writing in the early ages, which fostered his exploration of paintings. Ram Kumar entered the art world by chance; while pursuing an M.A. in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, he attended an art exhibition. The show deeply intrigued him and became the turning point for him to study art at the Sharda Ukil School of Art. After working in the bank sector, he quit his thriving career to follow his passion. Later, he moved to Paris to study further under the guidance of Andre Lhote and Fernand Leger.

More than anything, art appreciation involves the ability to open your eyes towards the world of art, which is literally everywhere. Appreciating art is primarily connected to our liking or not liking the object of appreciation. The process involves whether we take pleasure from something or not. Art appreciation isn’t solely for the elite and doesn’t require a fine arts or art history degree. It’s for anyone ready to open their mind and hearts to the limitless possibilities of art. Art appreciation also involves gaining knowledge of various techniques, styles, and art history, as well as the ability to understand movements from ancient cultures to contemporary art. The process centres around cultures, people, and how art grew in specific periods.

The timeless allure of ceramics has its roots in pottery that can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization, renowned for its fine craftsmanship. Emerging from the earth, ceramics, like terracotta, narrate the abundant tales of an ancient art form entrenched in the rich tapestry of culture of the nation. Today, it has gained popularity in the art world serving as a conduit for contemporary expression displayed in exhibitions, galleries, museums and art fairs worldwide.

Whether it’s a drawing by Hussain or a sculpture by Krishen Khanna, art is an exciting opportunity as an alternative investment. Spreading risk across a diverse portfolio is significant to its consistent performance for an extended period. It requires knowledge and also consists of risks such as illiquidity and market instability. Yet, its emotional and aesthetic value offers an exclusive dimension to an investment portfolio.

Art enthusiasts and connoisseurs in India are moving with the changing trends in the Indian art market. Recent auctions and market trends reveal the increasing interest in modern indian art, indian contemporary art, and modern masters. Master artists such as M.F Hussain, S.H. Raza, Ram Kumar, and Manjit Bawa are among many artists who continue to gain popularity in the investment community.

Paper works by distinguished artists like MF Hussain, Ram Kumar, S.H. Raza, Sakti Burman, Akbar Padamsee, Paresh Maity, Harsha Vardhana, Maya Burman, Kanchan Chander, and Maite Delteil belong to the collection of Art Alive Gallery.

Free-flowing, borderless and unconventional, abstract art can broadly be defined as art that does not represent an accurate characterization of a visual reality but attempts to depict the same using a variety of visual cues such as shapes, lines, textures, colours, forms, and gestures. The visual effect created by this kind of art is highly non-representational and, in a certain way, distanced from the literal reality.

Free flowing, borderless and unconventional, abstract art can largely be defined as art that does not represent an accurate characterization of visual reality but attempts to depict the same using a variety of visual cues such as colours, forms, shapes and gestures. The visual effect created by this kind of art is highly non-representational and in a certain way, distanced from the literal reality. Today, abstraction has taken many forms in the art scene throughout the world. Abstract expressionism emerged as a trend in the Indian art circuits. Many established as well as young abstract artists came to the forefront as Indian abstract painting took shape through the years.

Using woods, leaves, charcoal, clay, graphite, sand, stones in an artwork is in trend these days. Regardless of technology becoming so advanced, depicting nature and using natural materials to produce an artwork can never go out of league. We can never divide ourselves from nature. Bringing awareness among people regarding environmental issues, depicting nature’s beauty though art, providing aesthetic pleasure is the major role of portraying nature in arts.

The production of art objects such as figures, tiles, and other decorative materials using ‘clay’ and other raw materials comes under the ‘ceramic art’. The origin of pottery in India dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization between 2500 to 1500 BC. Earlier the products which were manufactured were only restricted to household utensils or daily use commodities such as pots which were favored for water transportation and storage, grain storage along with cooking pots and storing eatable products. Ceramic, as an art form is very cultured. Different styles emerged in different Indian states over a period of time. The making of glazed pottery developed under the influence of Arabs in India and the Mughal Art inspired some of the designs. This occurred around the 12th century.

It acts as a bridge between the older times and the current socio-political conditions of the nation. It reflects upon the conflicts and the contradictions of the respective times which are noticeable even today.

This blog by Art Alive Gallery will give its audience an opportunity to connect with the world of art in an intimate way.

While India does not officially possess a pavilion to showcase its art and culture, the presence of India at Venice Biennale is multifarious. From the entry-point of the Biennale venue to the promotional material, Indian art is incorporated in every form as a strong representation of the Global South.

We are pleased to inform that the Indian Pavilion got tremendous response from the audience. Roobina Karode is the curator of the Pavilion. The exhibits “our time for a future caring” displays works based on Gandhian philosophies and messages. It’s overwhelming to know that India’s pavilion is among the top 10 of the various participating countries.

Contemporary art is an art which is made by living artists. Contemporary art tends to reflect the complex issues of diversity and the rapidly changing world. It is through their works that contemporary artists attempt to redefine art by exploring the different personal and cultural identities. It is in this process; these artists raise many thought-provoking questions without really providing any easy answers. A work of contemporary art is bound to generate curiosity and open-minded dialogue or debate between those who love and appreciate art.