Dates: 26th February – 31st March, 2025
Venue: Gallery G, 38 Maini Sadan, 7th Cross Lavelle Road, Bangalore 560001.
Entry: Free & Open to the Public
Description –
Gallery G proudly presents The Masters & The Modern: South Edition, an exhibition celebrating the rich artistic heritage of South India. Running from 26th February to 31st March 2025, the show offers a compelling journey through the artistic, cultural, and socio-political transformations that have shaped South Indian art from the early 20th century to the contemporary era.
Bringing together works of artists from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh/Telangana, the exhibition highlights the interplay between tradition and innovation, showcasing how South Indian artists have continually redefined their visual language while drawing from regional heritage, mythology, and global artistic movements.
The exhibition begins with traditional South Indian art forms, including the Tanjore and Mysore schools of painting, known for their intricate detailing, luminous gold leaf embellishments, and devotional iconography. Alongside, the region’s sculptural heritage, deeply rooted in temple architecture, provided a foundational aesthetic that influenced generations of artists.
The early 20th century witnessed the rise of academic realism, particularly in portraiture and religious subjects, blending European techniques with Indian sensibilities to create a distinct South Indian visual identity. This transition set the stage for the Madras Art Movement, a pioneering force in Indian modernism. The movement rejected Western academic traditions in favour of abstraction, symbolism, and indigenous visual languages. By integrating elements from folklore, mythology, and temple art, artists forged a uniquely South Indian modernist aesthetic. On display are rare works by KM Adimoolam, RB Bhaskaran, Achuthan Kudallur, M Redeppa Naidu and Surya Prakash, alongside many more stunning works by artists from the region.
While Tamil Nadu played a crucial role in modernist expression, Karnataka’s artistic traditions flourished alongside. Artists from the region like KK Hebbar, SM Pandit, SG Vasudev, GS Shenoy and Milind Nayak, skillfully balanced tradition and contemporary concerns, drawing inspiration from mythology, rural life, and socio-political themes. The state became a vital contributor to modern Indian art, producing works that blended cultural symbolism with personal introspection.
By the latter half of the 20th century, South Indian artists embraced newer materials, themes, and interdisciplinary approaches, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. Themes of identity, gender, caste, migration, and environmental issues became central to their work. Never before showcased works by well known names like Jitesh Kallat, Avinash Veeraraghavan, Gurudas Shenoy and Bara Bhaskaran will be exhibited for the first time in the show. This contemporary evolution reflects an expansive and experimental approach to image-making, where artists continue to engage with global dialogues while staying rooted in their regional heritage.
A section of the exhibition also highlights emerging South Indian artists like KP Leon, Hima Hariharan and Anand Bekwad who, while drawing from the past, are actively reshaping the discourse of contemporary art. Through new media, digital art, conceptual practices, and social critique, they explore the complexities of modern life, ensuring that South Indian art remains dynamic and relevant.
At its core, The Masters & The Modern: South Edition is a dialogue between the past and present, showcasing how South Indian artists have reinterpreted tradition while embracing innovation. Each artwork stands as a testament to the enduring creativity and cultural pride that define the region’s artistic legacy.
About Gallery G Gallery G stands as a beacon for the celebration and understanding of both Indian and international art. With a commitment to showcasing diverse artistic expressions and narratives, Gallery G fosters a space for dialogue, appreciation and education in the art community.
