An ode to the Madras Art Movement

Stefano Beccari, the curator of the exhibition says, “I always admired the works of KCS Paniker and S Dhanapal, who played an important role in the growth and development of the art movement. It had a unique identity and character. There was a tepid response to the flowering of a whole group of artists who struggled as much as any gallery of that era to survive. Those artists are a force to reckon with — some living and many no more with us.

Unfortunately, most of the paintings and sculptors are scattered all over the country and art enthusiasts, who are looking for inspiration, are finding it difficult to find the quality works done by the artists. Due to various reasons, there is a little documentation of the lesser appreciated ‘modern art’.”

For the exhibition titled — 50 years of Indian Contemporary Art — The Alternative art gallery has collaborated with Artworld: Sarala’s Art Centre in Teynampet. “ArtWorld, started by Biswajit and Sarala Banerjee was established in 1965 and is one of the oldest galleries in the city. They have paintings of artists who have worked in Chennai and those who studied in the first art school in India, Madras College of Art.

The upcoming exhibition (from October 27) is a small compilation to give an idea of the trends that influenced contemporary art in south India and how it grew into a significant movement,” says Stefano, also the founder of The Alternative art gallery.