The Imaginary Institution of India

Featuring the work of around 30 artists in a wide array of mediums, this exhibition catalog captures a unique moment in modern Indian art, one marked by immense creativity and innovation.

The period between 1975 and 1998 was a tumultuous time in India, as the country witnessed significant political, economic, and social upheavals, shaping the nation's trajectory for decades to come. It was also a time of artistic audacity highlighted by a shift away from traditional themes and styles.
This richly illustrated volume explores the myriad ways Indian artists responded to and engaged with this period of change. Thematic chapters look at issues such as the urban transformation of the 1970s and ‘80s; the institutionalization of indigenous and vernacular art practices; photography and street theater; and installation-based work. Accompanied by illuminating texts by scholars in the field, this book also features vibrant reproductions and photographs of the work of thirty major artists, including painters Bhupen Khakhar and Arpita Singh, photographers Sheba Chhachhi and Sunil Gupta, and installation artists Sheela Gowda and Nalini Malani.
Readers will learn how artists began to experiment with new forms and techniques; how the aftermath of the Emergency led to a surge of socially conscious art that critiqued the government; and how prominent women artists challenged traditional gender roles and addressed issues of female identity and experience. This unique volume explores the way each of these developments helped to establish India as a major force in the contemporary art world, and reveals how the artists who emerged during this time continue to have a profound influence on Indian art today.SHANAY JHAVERI is head of visual arts at the Barbican, London.