Midnight To The Boom: Painting In India After Independence – First Edition – New Copy In Shrinkwrap

Midnight To The Boom: Painting In India After Independence – First Edition – New Copy In Shrinkwrap

Author: Susan S Bean & Homi K Bhabha
Price: £30
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Publication Date: 2012
Format: Original cloth. Dustwrapper
Condition: New
Pages: 228
Edition: First edition

Location: OSR: 002648

Presumed first edition. Illustrated throughout. A new copy in original shrinkwrap.

Midnight To The Boom: Painting In India After Independence: A Short Review

Midnight to the Boom: Painting in India After Independence is an illuminating and visually rich exploration of Indian art in the post-independence era, spanning from 1947 to the boom in the contemporary Indian art market around the early 21st century. This book, edited by Susan S. Bean and published in association with the Peabody Essex Museum, offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of Indian painting during this transformative period. It highlights the work of three pioneering generations of artists who redefined Indian art while grappling with their cultural heritage and modernity.

Overview

1. Historical Context:
   • The book situates its narrative in the aftermath of India’s independence in 1947, a time of political and cultural rebirth. It explores how artists navigated their identities in a newly sovereign nation while engaging with international modernism.
   • The title, Midnight to the Boom, reflects this transition from the moment of independence, famously described as the “midnight hour” by Jawaharlal Nehru, to the economic and cultural boom that placed Indian art on the global stage.
2. Three Generations of Artists:
   • The book organises its narrative around three generations of Indian painters, each defined by their unique responses to modernism, tradition, and globalisation:
     • First Generation (Post-Independence Modernists): Artists like M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, and Tyeb Mehta are highlighted for their groundbreaking efforts to create a distinctly Indian modernist idiom. Drawing on Indian mythology, folk art, and abstract expressionism, these artists forged a global identity for Indian art.
     • Second Generation (Mid-Century Innovators): Artists like Nalini Malani and Gieve Patel experimented with new media and addressed themes of political and social transformation, reflecting the tensions of a rapidly changing society.
     • Third Generation (Contemporary Visionaries): Contemporary artists such as Atul Dodiya and Anju Dodiya embraced a globalised art market while exploring themes of identity, consumerism, and memory.
3. Visual Presentation:
   • The book features over 100 high-quality reproductions of paintings, offering a vivid journey through the vibrant colours, forms, and themes of Indian art.
   • The artworks are accompanied by detailed captions and contextual explanations, making the book accessible even to readers unfamiliar with Indian art.
4. Critical Essays and Analysis:
   • Essays by Susan S. Bean and other scholars provide historical and cultural context, exploring how Indian painters engaged with global art movements like Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism while remaining rooted in local traditions.
   • The book delves into themes such as the post-colonial quest for identity, the intersection of tradition and modernity, and the influence of political and social upheavals on artistic expression.
5. Focus on the Art Market:
   • The book addresses the transformation of the Indian art market, especially the global boom in Indian contemporary art during the early 2000s, which brought unprecedented recognition to these artists.

Strengths

1. Comprehensive Scope:
   • The book covers an extensive timeline, offering a clear and cohesive narrative of Indian art’s evolution from independence to global prominence.
2. Rich Visuals:
   • The high-quality reproductions make this a visually engaging book, showcasing the diversity and innovation of Indian painting.
3. Engaging Essays:
   • The essays are well-researched and accessible, offering valuable insights into the socio-political and cultural contexts that shaped the artists’ work.
4. Focus on Identity and Modernity:
   • The book captures the tension between modernity and tradition, a central theme in post-independence Indian art.

Weaknesses

1. Limited Coverage of Regional Variations:
   • While it provides an excellent overview of key figures, the book focuses primarily on artists from urban centres, leaving less room for regional or folk traditions.
2. Emphasis on Painting:
   • The focus on painting might feel limiting to readers interested in other art forms, such as sculpture, printmaking, or installation art.

Conclusion

Midnight to the Boom: Painting in India After Independence is a masterfully curated exploration of Indian painting’s transformative journey in the modern era. Combining vivid visuals with insightful essays, it provides a rich narrative of how Indian artists negotiated their identities in a rapidly changing world. While the book primarily focuses on urban and modernist painters, its in-depth analysis and stunning reproductions make it an essential resource for anyone interested in Indian art and its global impact.

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