WHAT?  The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975-1998

WHERE?  Barbican Art Gallery, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS

WHEN?  Now until 5th January 2025 

WHY GO? For the full force of art.  A thrilling blockbuster that highlights the creativity of Indian artists at a crucial time in their country’s turbulent socio-political landscape. Inflation, unemployment, and instability led artists to respond as only artists know how, through expressive imagery and the whole exhibition reverberates with energy and excitement. Many artworks will be shown for the first time in the UK. 

Some artists are familiar but most, it is fair to say, will be little known to visitors, however the exhibition’s nifty little accompanying pink book provides all the answers. 

It’s impossible not to dip in and out as the show unfolds checking storylines though the atmospheric lighting could well be switched a notch brighter!

From evocative paintings by artists like Gieve Patel, who was also a poet, playwright and physician, to arresting photography by Jyoti Bhatt who travelled through rural India documenting decorative traditions like Kantha embroidery and Bhil tattoos, curious visitors will long to delve deeper and check out the sculptors and film makers too. All 30 Indian artists featured have helped present an energised liberal portrayal of India. 

It is altogether an exciting collective enterprise collated in collaboration with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in New Delhi.

IN THE KNOW Curious for more? The Barbican Cinema charts the new wave of Indian films to coincide with the exhibition's enlightening art scene. Socially and politically themed, Rewriting the Rules: Pioneering Indian Cinema after 1970, showcases filmmakers who broke boundaries and focused on marginalised aspects of Indian culture. 

Films will be screened up until 12th December, check times online.