From the ‘Concerns’ Desk ... August 2007

Indian contemporary art is now international in every sense. The NRI driven market has now become much more competitive with the presence of international buyers and art collectors. The activities of the major auction houses underline the demand for Indian contemporary art in the foreign shores. A sunny scene indeed.

Market observers say that the demand-supply ratio of contemporary Indian art is still in disarray. The existing supply lines are not able to satisfy the growing demand for Indian art. There is no dearth of artists in this country. However, the issue is whether we are able to meet the benchmarks set by the international collectors.

Seeing the demand in the art market, several players have come in with art objects lacking tremendously in quality and worth. In the domestic market there is a flooding of low grade works.

It is high time that we become more aware of the aesthetic quality of the works that we push into the market. The international market wants works that dare to articulate the local within the global field, using unconventional methods and materials.

Many Indian artists have started addressing pertinent issues with local and global effects. They dare to be different in mediums and expressions. The international scene cannot avoid seeing these changes happening in our art scene.

It is heartening to see the galleries changing their strategies to accommodate daring works along with the more ‘saleable’ paintings and sculptures.

Our effort is to highlight the daring artists, art, art writers, art historians, critics and curatorial attempts.

Yours truly,

JohnyML