Tribal art catches the collector's fancy

An interest from collectors, museums and institutions is creating a strong market for tribal art

A  beautiful accordion book showcasing the evolution of Gond weddings formed the centrepiece of the Vernacular in Flux booth at India Art Fair this year. The newest addition to the fair, curated by Dr Annapurna Garimella of Jackfruit Research and Design, was a huge attraction for art enthusiasts and collectors.

In the past couple of years, events such as this have served to highlight the depth of India’s rich indigenous art practices, while also placing them in a modern context. Auction houses too have started holding exclusive sales of works by traditional artists such as Jangarh Singh Shyam, Ram Singh Urveti and Ganesh Jogi. Though the prices have increased manifold, from Rs 200 a decade ago to a range of Rs 2,500 to Rs 5 lakh, and upwards, now, the category is still affordable and serves to attract collectors.

NATIVE COLLECTION

A chair from the art deco sofa set from the Saffronart auction
 

 

Mayank Shyam’s gond painting, permanent ink and acrylic on canvas

 

Jonnalagadda Niranjan’s kalamkari, acrylic on canvas

Bhajju Shyam’s Untitled, ink and acrylic on paper

Courtesy: Latitude 28

A  four-seater cinema bench by Pierre Jeanneret from the Saffronart auction

Photos: Courtesy Saffronart

 

Another of Bhajju Shyam’s creations

Courtesy: Ojas Art

Where to buy tribal art?

Saffronart

After its first sale dedicated to tribal art in 2012, the auction house has reaffirmed its commitment to the genre with its upcoming sale, Living Traditions, Folk and Tribal Art. “We want to show the diversity and depth of creativity in folk, tribal and traditional art,” says Hugo Weihe, CEO, Saffronart. “It has served as an inspiration for modern contemporary artists. For instance, the Kalighat paintings were instrumental in inspiring artists like Jamini Roy.”

Prices:

Objects such as banta or jarandaye: Rs 8 lakh to Rs 10 lakh

Artworks by Jangarh Singh Shyam: Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh

Kadamba Tree by Sita Devi: Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh

A work featuring cow dung and acrylic on raw canvas by Jivya Soma Mashe: Rs 4 lakh to Rs 6 lakh

When and where: Saffronart’s Mumbai sales rooms, April 19 and 20

Must Art Gallery

The gallery, started by Tulika Kedia, has launched www.gallerymustart.com, a website that features paintings, sculptures, masks, photographs and books by artists such as Japani Shyam. Durga Bai, Kalam Patua and Jivya Soma Mashe.

Prices: Rs 2,500 to Rs 5 lakh, and upwards

Where: Panchsheel Park, New Delhi

Ojas Art

Anubhav Nath of Ojas Art has been showing Gond artist Bhajju Shyam’s work for some years now. “He has published 14 books and done several solo shows abroad. But it was only in 2016 that his first solo happened in India with us,” says Nath.

Price: On request

Where: 1A, Qutab Minar Complex Road, New Delhi

Latitude 28

Gallerist Bhavna Kakar has been showing works by traditional artists alongside contemporary ones instead of bunching them together in a group show. “By the end of the year, I am planning an exhibition in which three contemporary artists and three tribal artists will work jointly, besides creating their individual works,” she says.

Price: On request

Where: F208, First Floor, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi