Past Meets Present

How do you honor traditions in your family or community? Many contemporary artists—those working today—build upon the traditions of the past in their work. The artists featured on these pages create bridges between India’s past and present. They infuse their work with traditions from their country’s history, culture, and religions. They also introduce their own ideas with a 21st-century twist.

Do you have traditions in your family or community? How do you honor them? Many artists working today build on the traditions of the past in their work. The artists featured here connect India’s past and present. They explore traditions from their country’s history, culture, and religions, but add their own modern twist.

Jiten Thukral (jih-TEHN too-KRAL) and Sumir Tagra (soo-MEHR TAH-grah), known as “Thukral and Tagra,” or just “T&T,” have been making art collaboratively for nearly 20 years. They work in many different mediums, including porcelain, which they used to create their 2018 work Breaking Ground, above and right.

Thukral and Tagra developed these vases during a multiyear residency at a German ceramics factory. The artists borrowed from the past, using 17th-century molds to sculpt the vases’ forms. Then they painted vibrant images on each vase, reinterpreting themes of identity from Indian myths. Using a traditional art-making process, they revive storytelling traditions, sharing contemporary narratives about India today.

The artists Jiten Thukral (jih-TEHN too-KRALL) and Sumir Tagra (soo-MEHR TAH-grah) have worked together for almost 20 years. They’re known as “Thukral and Tagra,” or just “T&T.” They work with many different materials, including porcelain, a type of pottery. They used porcelain to create their 2018 work Breaking Ground, above and right.

Thukral and Tagra created these vases while working in a German ceramics factory. The artists borrowed ideas from artwork of the past. They used vase molds from the 17th century to sculpt the forms of the vases. Then they painted colorful images inspired by Indian myths on each vase. They use a traditional process, but the result looks modern. It tells a story about India today.

When Arpita Singh (ahr-PIT-tah sing) was a young woman, she studied textile design and embroidery. These traditional Indian crafts incorporate intricate details and repeating patterns. Today, Singh works mostly in watercolor. Her experience as a textile designer influences her meticulous painting style in works such as her 1989 The Worshippers, above.

Singh paints three barefoot women standing in a line. Two of the figures clasp their hands and gaze up, as if in prayer. Smaller figures in a variety of poses appear throughout the dreamlike composition. The artist introduces repeating floral patterns, like those found in traditional textiles. She also includes cars and airplanes, adding contemporary imagery. Singh often addresses historical or political events in India. “These paintings reflect the way I am emotionally and spiritually,” the artist explains. “I try to create a language, a process.”

When Arpita Singh (ar-PITTA SING) was in art school, she studied fabric design and embroidery. These traditional Indian crafts involve stitching intricate details and repeating patterns. Today, Singh is a watercolor painter. But her experience as a fabric designer influences her detailed painting style. Singh paints three barefoot women standing in a line in her 1989 work The Worshippers. Two of the figures look as if they are in prayer. Smaller figures in different poses appear throughout the painting. The artist adds floral patterns, which can also be found in traditional fabrics. She includes images of modern cars and airplanes. Singh often uses her work to explore historical or political events in India. “These paintings reflect the way I am emotionally and spiritually,” she explains.

Mumbai artist Sunil Gawde (soo-NIL GOW-day) explores classical Hindu and Buddhist philosophy in his work. The artist uses common objects to create surprising juxtapositions. “As a sculptor, my interest is in choosing everyday objects and presenting them in magnified form as objects for meditation,” he says.

Gawde invites viewers to see familiar objects, like the peacock feather and the elephant balanced on a scale above, in new ways. In the 2013-14 artwork, the feather, rather than the elephant, tips the scale. This sculpture is part of a series called Inner Dimension-Outer Dimension. The title refers to Gawde’s wish for his work to inspire viewers to reflect on the balance of the universe.

The artists featured here explore traditional mediums, Indian myths, and philosophies. How does each artist invite you to think about his or her work in the context of Indian history?

The artist Sunil Gawde (soo-NILL GOW-day) lives in Mumbai. He explores classical Hindu and Buddhist ideas in his work. The artist uses common objects to create surprising juxtapositions, or contrasts, to help viewers see them in new ways.

Gawde made the artwork at right in 2013 and 2014. In it, a feather and an elephant balance on a scale. But the scale tips toward the feather, not the elephant, which is the opposite of what you would expect! This sculpture is part of a series of works called Inner Dimension-Outer Dimension. Gawde chose this title because he wants viewers to try and reimagine the balance of the universe.

These artists work with traditional materials, Indian myths, and ideas. How does each artist connect his or her work to India’s history?