Feminist voices in Indian art

In India, female voices have challenged social expectations of women and given wings to female autonomy in the art field. The bold symphony of brushstrokes, colour and independent imagination in their works highlights the complexity of female identity and gender. Their body of work is a testament to the resilience of female voices in Indian art, providing insightful observations on personal as well as group experiences.

The creative minds have always pushed their artistic limits, ensuring that women’s stories get heard and strongly connect with the general discourse of Indian art. Here are some strong feminist voices that have greatly contributed to shaping the narrative of Indian art and continue to inspire the artistic environment of the country:

Amrita Sher-Gil

A revolutionary figure of her time, the Hungarian-Indian painter Amrita Sher-Gil has left a large body of work. She merged the Indian and Western style with the Indian context, and depicted the lives of rural Indians in a rich and earthy colour palette. One of the recurring themes in her art is the life and struggles of women. The bold and expressive brushstrokes in her paintings highlight the power of women. She challenged the common representation of women in art by capturing their struggles, individuality, and intimate selves. Thereby making a powerful commentary with regards to the gender inequality faced by women during her time.

Anjolie Ela Menon

Anjolie Ela Menon’s oeuvre frequently depicts female characters in a melancholic or introspective mood. She employs bold colours such as red, yellow, and orange in her paintings to produce a strong emotional response. The crow, chair, and goat, which often appear in her paintings, are representative of the spiritual and ordinary world. Many of her works reflect inspiration from the Byzantine art style, which she was exposed to during her training at Ecole des Beaux Arts, Paris. She has worked with a variety of mediums, including watercolour, Murano glass, acrylic, and oil on masonite, which is her most preferred medium. Many of her works leave a meaningful and magical impact on the viewers.

Arpita Singh

Noted for her narrative-driven and realistic-looking paintings, Arpita Singh is a leading figure in the modern Indian art world. She explores themes such as home, aging, and the life and experiences of women in modern times. Her body of work is rich in human emotion, featuring vibrant colours with a personal and universal touch. Recurring motifs in her oeuvre include flowers, mythical creatures, and birds; the one that stands out the most is of the solo female figure.

Anju Dodiya

An eminent figure in contemporary Indian art, Anju Dodiya is best known for her paintings depicting themes such as human struggle and inner turmoil. Sylvia Plath, the poet, and other eminent artists, including Piero della Francesca and Giotto, were a huge inspiration for the artist. In many of her works, women play the central role. They are showcased in a deeply personal and universally relatable narrative. Anju has utilised various mediums to create her art, but her most preferred medium is watercolour on paper. This medium is representative of a delicate yet powerful expression, characterised by a muted and introspective colour palette. She enhances the emotional depth of women in her works with symbolic imagery. This approach invites viewers to step into a complex psychological landscape, prompting contemplation on the problems faced by women, and the various facets of emotional experience.

Arpana Caur

Arpana Caur is best known for her works that portray women’s issues with a strong narrative quality. Caur’s works are influenced by many styles, such as Pahari miniatures, Indian folk art and Punjabi literature. Most significant themes in her works include spirituality, nature, and themes of life and death. She also deals with other social, cultural, and political themes that have specifically impacted women. These include subjects related to violence against women, gender equality, and their role in the world. In addition, she also portrays the strength and resilience of women with vibrant colours against an urban background in many of her works, with a direct visual language to convey her message.

These strong women artists have encouraged and inspired the voices of millions with their artistic contributions, especially those of women. They have questioned the hierarchies of the art world, talked about difficult topics, and pushed the boundaries with their feminist approach to make sure all women get heard and seen. Their works continue to provide a deeper insight into their lives and highlight the strength of their artistic expression.

— The writer is director, Client Relations, AstaGuru