Turning Passion Into Profit
As a kid, you might have dreamed of becoming an artist when you grew up. But if you ever told your relatives you wanted to study art, you would get the response, ‘Beta, you’ll starve. Following your dreams isn’t that easy’. Art is no longer a dreamer’s profession, but not anymore. Now artists know that they need to turn passion into profit. Mere ‘appreciation’ and ‘exposure’ as payment doesn’t satisfy them. The demand for Indian art has increased, and so has the value of Indian artwork.
Indian painting and sculpture are a huge part of the handicrafts industry. We can find hand-painted and hand-woven art in every corner of the country. Let’s explore how Rooftop is helping artists showcase Indian artwork.
Showcasing Indian Artwork Through The Rooftop App
ArtWiki And Artists
Rooftop is dedicated to researching and teaching Indian folk and tribal handicrafts by making them accessible to all. We are spreading awareness while giving traditional artists a platform. The ArtWiki contains information about traditional art forms and Indian artwork. Instead of being tucked away in their indigenous corners, Rooftop is bringing them to the forefront. We regularly conduct workshops on traditional Indian painting and art forms. Some of these workshops are completely free to ensure that more and more people understand and appreciate Indian artwork.
Co-Create Artwork With Rooftop Community
After attending a workshop or course with Rooftop, learners can showcase their artwork through the Rooftop app’s Community section. They can proudly display their art and interact with other artists and artisans. The Community tab is a great space for budding artisans to explore styles and techniques. They can receive feedback from advanced artists and professionals. Indian artwork is extremely diverse due to a wide range of traditional styles and techniques. You can support local artists by attending the workshops and courses that Rooftop organises. These workshops and courses support the livelihood of traditional artists and also work towards the preservation of Indian artwork and art forms.
Also read: 7 Ways To Start Making Art On The Rooftop App
Temporary Trends And Their Effect On Indian Artwork
With a deluge of information available online, trends come and go, and we don’t even notice them. We pay attention to the things we’re interested in and are indifferent to the rest. Creators and artists who aren’t part of the current trends are left behind, while those who stick to their forte are called old-fashioned. Indian artwork, including painting, handicrafts, and sculpture, is negatively affected by the fast-paced, algorithm-focused, trend-heavy nature of today’s society.
Despite this, it seems like art trends rarely feature Indian art. Indian artwork is famous internationally, but why do we not give it attention in our own country? We rarely hear about contemporary traditional painters and artisans. We see old paintings and objects in museums, but few people look at the art that is made and displayed right now. Artists should not only be appreciated after their deaths. Their lives and art deserve to be celebrated, and they deserve to reap the benefits of the work they’ve created. The Indiyart exhibition is a step in this direction. It featured the work of artists who are staying true to traditional methods and are keeping the rich legacy of these ancient art forms alive.
We also hosting an Inktober challenge giveaway all throughout October. Check out our instagram @rooftop_app to learn more!
The Timeless Nature Of Indian Artwork
Indian artwork has evolved from being strictly traditional to a blend of traditional and modern. Bhil art is painted on coasters; Madhubani and Kalamkari are hand-painted and block-printed on sarees and other clothing. Tapestries are an important part of Indian painting and visual art. Huge tapestries filled with Pichwai, Pattachitra, and Mata ni Pachedi are hand-painted and sold for religious and decorative purposes. Miniature paintings adorn showpieces and jewellery boxes.
Indian artwork is diverse, and each region has its own specialty. Artisans sometimes combine two or three art forms in the creation of traditional handicrafts. For example, a jewellery box carved out of wood may contain metalwork and painting as well. This enhances the beauty of the artwork and also proves the skill of the artisans.
Indian Artwork At The Indiyart Exhibition
Rooftop recently hosted and curated the Indiyart exhibition at Bikaner House, Delhi, from September 16th to September 19th, 2023. The exhibition was a celebration of the diversity of Indian artwork and art forms and will take you on a journey through India’s cultural landscape. Rooftop collaborated with local veteran artists to curate Indian artwork from the country’s folk and tribal art forms. This exhibition showcased the myriad works of art created by Indian artists. Artists could not just display but also sell their work at Indiyart. This exhibition provided a platform for Indian artists to sell and display their work next to other renowned folk and tribal artists. It was a celebration of Indian art and culture.
As long as artisans continue to create Indian artwork, a piece of India’s art history will stay alive. These works of art offer social and cultural insight into the lives of local and tribal communities.
Download the Rooftop App from Google Play or the App Store to enrol in our Maestro courses and learn traditional artwork and art forms!
By Melissa D’Mello
