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The refined, rarefied setting of a five-star hotel lobby is brightened by a burst of folk colour during the India Art Fair, which concluded recently in Delhi. In sharp contrast to the elegance within and the chaotic traffic without, the paintings are windows to a calmer world where myths blend with reality, and humanity and nature coexist more peacefully. As visitors throng the Gondwana Art Project, a showcase of Gond, Warli and Bhil art from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, organisers Craft and Community Development Foundation (CCDF) have reason to be pleased with the response. “Our intention was to not only showcase tribal talent during the Indian Art Fair 2020, we also wanted to involve more people in our initiative,” says founder Sundeep Bhandari.
The Gondwana Art Project is the result of a six-month residency in which five selected artists worked with a Delhi-based designer to upgrade their skills and create works that would appeal to urban markets. “Over the years, we’d noticed that while folk art was such an evocative form of expression, it often didn’t make its way to upper-class urban homes,” says Bhandari. “We selected five artists from a long list provided by Tribes India and gave them a one-time stipend of Rs 50,000 to work with us for six months.”
During this period, the artists were guided by CCDF mentors who introduced them to new methods and techniques that express both traditional and contemporary imagery and values. For example, Warli artist Rajesh Mor was encouraged to use the earthier cowdung as a base for his stunningly detailed paintings, instead of the red geru, terracotta used traditionally. This has added depth and distinction to his finished works. “We also introduced artists to Australian aboriginal art, which we’d noticed was rather similar in form,” says Bhandari. “Our Gond artist Anita Shyam became so inspired that she painted a vivid work depicting a jellyfish in her unique style!”
The Gondwana Art Project is the result of a six-month residency in which five selected artists worked with a Delhi-based designer to upgrade their skills and create works that would appeal to urban markets. “Over the years, we’d noticed that while folk art was such an evocative form of expression, it often didn’t make its way to upper-class urban homes,” says Bhandari. “We selected five artists from a long list provided by Tribes India and gave them a one-time stipend of Rs 50,000 to work with us for six months.”
During this period, the artists were guided by CCDF mentors who introduced them to new methods and techniques that express both traditional and contemporary imagery and values. For example, Warli artist Rajesh Mor was encouraged to use the earthier cowdung as a base for his stunningly detailed paintings, instead of the red geru, terracotta used traditionally. This has added depth and distinction to his finished works. “We also introduced artists to Australian aboriginal art, which we’d noticed was rather similar in form,” says Bhandari. “Our Gond artist Anita Shyam became so inspired that she painted a vivid work depicting a jellyfish in her unique style!”
