Shukla Sawant - South Asian Artworlds after 1947

Lesson part of the course Decolonised History of Art: Global Narratives from 1900 to the Present. Click here for the programme and the full course.

This lesson examines artistic production in South Asia in the decades following independence, a period marked by rapid social transformation, the negotiation of national identities, and engagement with global modernist movements. It begins with the ‘43 Group in Sri Lanka and moves on to look at the Bombay Progressive Artists’ Group (PAG) and figures such as M.F. Husain, whose work sought to reconcile local narratives and imagery with international modernist forms. It also addresses new figurative practices developed by Ram Kumar, Akbar Padamsee, and Tyeb Mehta, exploring expressive approaches that merge abstraction and representation. The lesson also discusses the role of figures like Zainul Abedin and social realism, followed by contemporary calligraphy and modernist painting in Pakistan through the work of Sadequain, Shakir Ali and the Lahore Art Circle, highlighting the intersection of cultural heritage, political identity, and experimental practice. The Madras Art Movement is discussed as another regional center of innovation, fostering engagement with both local traditions and international trends. Finally, the emergence of biennials and experimental galleries in the subcontinent are considered, emphasizing their role in shaping transnational networks and dialogues.

Shukla Sawant is an artist and academic whose work explores themes of colonialism, postcolonial theory, and the intersection of art and history, challenging viewers to reconsider established perspectives. Founder of the Indian Printmakers Guild, Sawant research delves into art in colonial India, South Asian modernism, and contemporary art movements.