The discourse of folk and contemporary art has now become an established reality in the field of art. Traditionally, works created by academically trained artists—especially those belonging to urban and metropolitan contexts—have been categorized as contemporary art. In contrast, art forms that have been practiced for centuries across various regions of India are generally classified under folk art.
However, the emergence of “New Media Art” within contemporary practice has significantly blurred this conventional distinction. Digital technologies, interactive formats, and multidisciplinary approaches have almost dissolved the boundaries between folk and contemporary art. Folk elements are increasingly being incorporated into contemporary expressions, while contemporary artists reinterpret folk sensibilities through new media. How this trend will be historically documented remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly signals a crucial transitional phase.
A closer look at the current art ecosystem reveals that government-led initiatives are often reduced to procedural formalities. In contrast, private galleries linked to the art market are playing a more dynamic role. More encouraging, however, is the emergence of smaller art collectives that are expanding their activities beyond regional limits to national and even international platforms. Despite limited market support, these initiatives are increasingly sustained by the collective participation and solidarity of the artist community.
In this context, the Gurgaon-based “Vimla Art Forum” has been consistently organizing exhibitions, discussions, and art camps over the years. The present discussion focuses on the exhibition titled “Mati III”, held at Arpana Art Gallery, New Delhi, from April 3 to April 9. The opening ceremony was graced by Dr. Vinod Narayan Indurkar, Chairman of the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), Government of India. He elaborated upon the classical Sanskrit verse—“Rupabhedah Pramanani Bhava-Lavanya-Yojanam Sadrishyam Varnikabhang Iti Chitram Shadangakam”—offering a scholarly interpretation of the six canons of Indian painting. He also praised the efforts of the Vimla Art Foundation, describing the confluence of folk and contemporary art as a world-class initiative.
Renowned art critic and writer Vinod Bhardwaj presented an insightful reflection on the aesthetic dimensions of art. He emphasized that the evaluation of art must go beyond technical proficiency to include its emotional depth and aesthetic sensibility. He appreciated the forum for creating a platform that engages with art within its broader social and cultural contexts.
Bhardwaj also referred to the eminent artist Swaminathan, highlighting his perspective on folk art. According to him, Swaminathan did not consider folk art as a relic of the past but as a dynamic dialogue with modernity. He stressed the importance of understanding the interrelationship between folk and contemporary art rather than positioning them in opposition, thereby fostering a more inclusive artistic vision.
Padma Shri awardee and noted folk artist Shanti Devi expressed her gratitude to the audience and shared her artistic journey in a simple yet engaging manner. Meanwhile, Santosh Srivastava, founder of KSKT, recited a poignant poem, describing the exhibition as a source of solace in present times. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by artist and writer Jai Tripathi.
It is evident that folk art has not yet received its due recognition within the contemporary art framework, a condition that may partly stem from a lingering colonial mindset. Nevertheless, Mati III, curated by Dilip Sharma and coordinated by Kanchan Mehra, stands as a compelling example of how a meaningful dialogue between folk and contemporary practices can be established.
Participating Artists
A.K. Douglas | Annie-Michelle Vrillet | Diet Meena | Arabind Singh | Ajit Dubey | Barbara Crimella | Bipin Kumar | Deep Manohar | Dilip Kumar Sharma | Dr. Preeti Sanyukta | Dr. Vijay Siddaramappa Hagargundgi | Eva Held | Gina Axelund | Jai Tripathi | Jean Charles Millepied | Jitin Ranger | Kanchan Mehra | Mark Rainer | Martin King | Manhar Kapadia | Pradeep Kumar D.M. | Ravi Ranjan | Sanjay Kumar Singh | Sunder Yadav | Ved Prakash Bhardwaj | Padma Shri Shanti Devi | Padma Shri Shivan Paswan | Abhiram Das | Anushikha Joshi | Hema Devi | Narendra Panjiyara | Sajwa Devi | Sanjay Panhaad | Sandhya Shukla | Vineeta Kumari | Afnan Reyaz | Anita Jindal | Drishti Gupta | Deepak | Jyoti Chaudhary | Karishma | Kuldeep Dogra | Manju Thakur | Namita | Ritu Jain | S.D. Johri | Shailja | Sushil Tanwar
This diverse list of participating artists reflects the expansive scope of Mati III, where contemporary, folk, and emerging artists come together on a shared platform, presenting a multidimensional vision of art through dialogue and collaboration.