INTRODUCTION

their work, as also the fact that all twenty, arguably, have broken exciting new ground over the past few

years. As the timeline indicates, in most cases the growth pattern has been consistent, but markedly

productive from 2003 to 2006.

Auction houses have recently claimed that 12−15 per cent of the buyers of Indian art worldwide are,

reportedly, from other regions, including France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan,

and the Middle East. Clearly, India is inching its way to a fi rmer position in the international art arena. It

may not be entirely incorrect to say that the rigour and vocabulary of many artists in this publication has

contributed seminally in shaping international perceptions about Indian contemporary art and fuelling

its upward movement. Indeed, the works of almost all featured here have found place in prestigious

international collections across the globe.

As things stand in the current scenario, to believe that an art index fl oated by an auction house or art

funds managed by galleries are objective ways of quantifying and assessing the market share/prices of

specifi c artists, is naïve. Locally, astute dealers are reshaping a staid market and many from this grouping

are most likely to scale greater heights in years to come.

Fresher ways of seeing, a more vigorous and a clearer approach to writing on art and much needed

infrastructure may facilitate better understanding among young collectors and international connoisseurs.

India 20aspires to provide an alternate view – the voice of the artist as heard and recorded.

Anupa Mehta

Ahmedabad, July 2007

ARTIST’S PORTRAIT: SAIBAL DAS

SELECT SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2007: (in)visible, Talwar Gallery, New Delhi 2005: Unfi xed Being, Van Every Smith Museum Galleries, Davidson, NC 2005: Transition and Transformation, Fine Arts Galleries, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 2004: Into Thin Air, Talwar Gallery, New York 2002: Traces, Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró, Spain 2002: Talwar Gallery, New York 2001: Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai 2000: L’Association Mouvement d’Art Contemporain, Chamalières, France

All images in this section: Courtesy Talwar Gallery, New York, New Delhi