MODERNISM IN SCULPTURAL PRACTICE IN BARODA- 1960s ONWARDS |

Curator: Sharmita Das

Group: Bilash Sardar and Gangotree Das Gupta

Topic: Early Modernism in Baroda Sculpture, in early-mid 20th century.

Idea: How the concept changes from 19th century to contemporary Baroda sculptors mainly in the essence of modernism. How the sculptural tradition is changing in the ideology, language of sculptures in Baroda school.

Mind map for the following process

Process:

As a part of the curatorial workshop, they were supposed to choose a subject centering their dissertation topic. He chose a chapter on his dissertation to develop his curatorial display. Faculty of fine arts was established in 1950 as a part of Maharaja Sayajirao University Baroda. From the infant days, this institution emphasized on a practice of art that leads their approach towards internationalism. As a result, the students diversely experimented in terms of their visual language and material. Later these students became eminent figures in contemporary Indian art scenario.

This was a time of Greenberg's Idea of Modernism and idea of regional modernism was already popularly established in European art practice. Not only that, but some scholars also pointed out the flaws in Greenberg's Idea of Modernism and talked about modernism in a more liberal way.

The Pedagogues’ like Sankho Chaudhary and K.G. Subramaniam studied and worked in different parts of Europe at a time. These opportunities helped them get connected with these contemporary ideas of European practitioners. They got inspired by their approach towards art. Later their encouraging approach towards students led the students to massive experimental art practices. As a combining practice of growing up, teacher and student together made a new aesthetic of art and pioneered modernism.

A new aesthetic was flourished. Sculptural practice in Baroda, 1960 onwards takes a diverse turn centering the various aspects of modernism. The Sculptors were not only experimenting with material and language but they are also experimenting with the definition of sculpture. The artist used material in a different way. New material such as junk, metal plates, and cement were explored to create unusual visuals. Forms were important in the sculptures. The subjects and forms were played with by the sculptors who studied and worked here, referring to their regional identities, memories, and nostalgias. These sculptors in the visuals and forms of their sculptures many times reminds modern European sculptors like Archipenko, Henry Moore, Brancusi and other constructivist and cubist sculptors but their representation talks about their own culture and identities. Painting as an art practice also emerged here with equal intensity. Overall art practice in Baroda at that time initiated modernism which glorified modern Indian art.

In their display, they have chosen sculptors who have studied and worked in Baroda around 1960s and establish diverse modern approach in their sculptures.
Some of the sculptures of the following artists are:

GIRISH BHATT:

NAGJI PATEL:

RAGHAV KANERIA:

MAHENDRA PANDYA: