Seeing India Through The Eyes Of 70 Local Artists

In recent years, India has seen a meteoric rise of graphic art culture. Artists have gone from the fringes of society to having their work celebrated in all circles. A major player in this move to the fore is Indianama, a visual arts collective that believes in facilitating collaboration, curation and creation. The brainchild of Delhi-based studio, Animal, they aim to express the stories of India around a common theme. The Indianama 2017 project was exhibited at the London Design Festival and in New York and now it’s making it’s way to Kulture Shop in Kala Ghoda from the 10th to 18th of February.

The theme for this year revolves around the inherent misunderstanding the world has of India. Instead of a mystical retreat or Bollywood dream, 70 of India’s leading artists have curated an exhibit of what India means to them in the form of Travel and Tourism posters. As a result the collection provides a window into the country and its graphical representations in the 21st century. “India in tourism has unapologetically been restricted to the same monotonous and clichéd imagery. That’s something we’re not okay with.” says Kunel Gaur, founder and creative director of animal.

The project first launched in Delhi last year and has now found its way back to India at Kulture Shop in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai. This move compliments Kulture Shop’s mission to champion graphic artists and introduce to the world a new Indian art genre that’s culturally relevant, making it affordable and accessible. With travellers from all over the world walking into the shop every day, these travel posters give them a new perspective on India they may not get from their guidebooks.

This year will be a glimpse into the India we know but rarely see showcased to the world through the eyes of India’s most talented. Below is a preview of some of the incredible work that will be on display this week at Kala Ghoda.

The Queen’s Teardrop - Ranganath Krishnamani

We have a wealth of history and heritage that constantly reminds us of our magnificent relationship with the royalty. Whether it is the palaces, forts, government buildings or the step well baths they bring in a sense of charm, artistry and the lifestyle of our royals. This seems contrasting from today’s sense of culture and lifestyle. The step well for me is a great analogy as they have a magical sense of blending the past and present, the traditional to the new. A journey that draws one to the deep end and leave them radiant with their charm.

Star Land - Keerthana Ramesh

A celebration of Indian astronomy that relentlessly searched for patterns in the chaos of our cosmos. Whether they existed, or not. After all, we’re all at the liberty to make our own connections.

Land Of Epic Vibrations - Reshidev RK

This artwork is inspired by the different mythologies connected to the science of vibrations. Over time it has come to mean different things to different people. But the one thing that time has not corroded is that vibrations are what people lose themselves in, only to later find themselves. The journey that leads you back to you.

Lost and Found When you lend an ear to the vibrations of the world You never know what you’ll find there You can never prophecise Some say its colour And some say its divine But all that matters is what you hear Because what you hear What you lose yourself in Is what will bring you back to you

Land Of 1000 Toothy Smiles - Vibhav Singh

A smile is enough to brighten a dull day; a perfect beam, thirty two teeth glinting with pure glee. How often do you see that smile?

There are so many thoughts and emotions behind that one smile. It could be a smile of encouragement, a gentle push, an incentive to seize the day. Carpe Diem.

That smile could be a precursor to rumbling thunder clouds; a smile of anticipation. A smile in face of great adversity, a smile of defiance in face of opposition, overturning regressive ideas, a smile to tell bravely, “Not today.” It could be a smile of a six out of the park, a goal, perfectly matched socks, a sip of ginger-tea in the morning, a chance encounter with Shah Rukh Khan, listening to Gulzar reciting poetry, a generous dollop of ghee over parathas, a bargain well made, a marathon completed, a book written, a song sung.

And it is all here, in India, a land full to the brim with such smiles, a land with cultures so diverse that coexistence is second nature to its people. Adjustment comes naturally, like breathing air. We haggle, we argue, we ‘scooch over’, and then we adjust with a smile. This artwork presents just that. The acceptance of our differences, yet blurring boundaries, sharing, smiling. Together.