Indian artists show different shade of rising urbanization

Indian artists display their works in a Beijing art show. Highlights include Unremitting Expansion by Pooja Iranna, Seventy Synonyms for Water in Sanskrit by Sheba Chhachhi, Vulnerable Guardians by Arunkumar H.G. and Untitled (Reflection) by Atul Bhalla.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Arunkumar H.G. printed serigraph printings of small-scale farmers on a standing board made of reclaimed wooden planks. The installation, titled Vulnerable Guardians, talks about how traditional and sustainable ways of grain yield are affected by environmental deterioration and urban expansion.

Farmers used to be the protectors of their home environment and local biodiversity. But today they are marginalized and have to drop the traditional way of living off agriculture. Their migration from villages to cities to become the screws in an industrial wheel is reflected in H.G.'s photo Lunch.

"The works generate brand-new energies showing to the Western world a contemporary Eastern visual culture that embraces an experimental spirit and thought-provoking depth," says Lochan.

"The world's economic center is moving toward Asia, especially to China and India. It is hence quite interesting to see how Indian artists perceive and position the center of the world in their works."