What is Mixed Media Art?
Mixed Media Art is a contemporary art form that uses more than two types of artwork or techniques. Many elements come together to create a unique piece of art. It all flows in the artist's mind and this is why this art is known to be freestyle. This is the beauty of Mixed Media Art. Although this art culture was introduced by revered artists, it continues to evolve and progress and its varied nature is yet to be fully discovered. In the field of art, it stands out as a testament to creativity and the artistic realm. It sets free the boundaries of techniques and processes and innovates a new design that harmonizes into a single framework. Whether you are just a curious seeker or starting to fit into the foundation of artistic hands, this article will help you unveil the mystery of Mixed Media Art. Let’s get into the details.
Published in Dec 2024
The History of Indian Stone Sculpture : Symbol of Cultural Heritage
Indian stone sculptures are the oldest known medium for expressing art since ages. Impacting Indian history and culture, the stone sculptures have played a major role in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religions. The stone sculptures are known for their intricate designs and carvings, which represent the cultural significance of Indian art. The traditional Indian sculptures can be traced from the origin of Indus Valley Civilisation from 2500-1800 BCE, deeply intertwined with the heritage of this country.
Published in Nov 2024
Culture Comes Home : 1440 Artifacts Returned to India by US (United State)
Attack on sites of religious and political importance and looting of sculptures and artifacts as an expression of victory and a way of adding insult to injury has been a war tactic since pre-modern times. The infamous plundering of Somnath Temple, during which many of its treasures and artifacts were stolen by Mahmud Ghazni, is one of the many events in history where the act of taking away art was a way of marking one’s victory and shaming the defeated dynasties. The site of Somnath has finally regained its glory, with kings in the medieval period and prominent devotees, temple trust, and ASI devoting resources to its preservation.
Published in Nov 2024
Antique Indian Doors : From Architecture to Art
Many years ago, a man from Greece came to the ancient city of Pataliputra. He was sent by the court of Greece as an ambassador to India. Like any foreigner on a visit, he wrote about his time in the grand capital city of Magadha, mentioning, among other things, the many imposing gateways that protected the city from every direction. Made with wood and metal, the doors of Pataliputra attracted the attention of Megashtenese, and rightfully so. Doors are the first thing that we see when we enter a place and the last thing that meets the eye upon leaving the space. Acting as a connecting element and a protective shield in buildings, doors have always been an important part of Indian sacred architecture, viewed beyond their utilitarian value. Let us look at the history of doors in India and how they went on to become a part of modern decor.
Published in Sep 2024
World of Tanjore Paintings
Tanjore Paintings best known as Thanjavur Paintings showcase a rich cultural significance in the history of Indian paintings. Dated back to the 11th century, Tanjore art can be seen in the Chola wall paintings and the paintings from the Nayak Period. The fall of the Vijayanagar Empire led to the migration of several painters to the region of Thanjavur, who worked for the Nayakas. The Marathas defeated the Thanjavur Nayakas because of which the local artists were greatly influenced by the taste of the Marathas and included that in their painting style. Traditional Thanjavur paintings differ in size according to the occasion. Large paintings of Deities were placed in the Palaces and buildings to accentuate the beauty of the royalties. These paintings were made on canvas along with the walls, glass, paper, mica, and rare materials like Ivory. Small painted Ivory was worn as a pendant known as Rajaharam and was quite popular back in the time.
Published in Aug 2024
Monsoon and Art : Rainy Season in Indian Paintings
The beauty of the earth bathed certainly caught the attention of the early Indian artists and writers. From the poetry that inspired Saawan’s depiction in Baramasa paintings to the art of Ragamala where the rainy-season melody of Raga Megha is beautifully painted, from the rain-drenched lanes of Vrindavan where Radha-Krishna perform their Lilas to the fearlessness of Abhisarika Nayika, young heroine who walks through the dark forest during a rain storm in night, every corner of Indian art world is enriched with refreshing touch of rain. So pick up your cup of tea and coffee and come with us on an exploration of rain in Indian paintings.
Published in Aug 2024
Bidriware : The Treasure Trove of Indian Legacy
Metalwork has a rich history in India and has been practiced here for centuries, Indian craftsmen have been creating masterpieces with captivating beauty using unique skills and techniques such as blacksmithing, welding, casting, as well as metal inlay. These techniques are passed down from one generation to another, whether it be Koftagari art from Jaipur or the Dokra art from Chhattisgarh, these metalworks are everywhere. The National Museum of Delhi itself has over 20,000 metal artifacts that are appreciated every single day by hundreds of travelers. From elaborate carvings on the temple to intricate Idols of gods and goddesses, these metal crafts have a widespread throughout India, inspiring several contemporary artists to create modern art pieces with traditional practices. metal artwork is a significant part of the cultural heritage in India that is greatly admired for its craftsmanship, and one such metal art is Bidriware. Bidriware is a metal art that originated from the city of Bidar in Karnataka, long ago in the 14th century C.E. during the rule of the Persian, Bahmani Sultans which is why this metal craft has a major influence on Persian art. BidrḤiware incorporates distinct characteristics and emphasizes the unique procedures of the local artisans of inlay on black metal with silver or gold inlays.
Published in Jul 2024
What Is Abstract Art?
“nothing is more real than a line, a color, a surface.” Said Dutch artist Theo van Doesburg. He and several other artists around the world as associated with what we call the “Abstract art movement”. A modern art trend, Abstract art is focused on simplification rather than realistic representation of the world. Style, and not subject is the focal point of an abstract art. It represents the spirit of modern times when the artist was freed from the demands of patrons and elites. With the coming of photography, painting was no longer responsible for being true to reality, being a medium of capturing the real world. This technological change was accompanied by social and political transformations- with the World War ending and the long-established institutions giving way to a whole new world, people experienced anxiety, uncertainty, hope, and a vast array of strong emotions, each of which was then expressed in the brush strokes of Abstract artists.
Published in Jul 2024
Hindu God & Goddess Statues for Different Festivals and Occasions
Hinduism is an ancient and rich cultural tradition, enriched by practices as old as human civilization. Pilgrimage, worship, festive celebrations, and special rituals, are many ways in which religiosity is expressed and celebrated in India and Hindu culture. Among the different methods, one in particular- the worship of statues of gods and goddesses is a historical and powerful tradition. From the simple local temples of the early days to the grand structures of the early medieval period and the beautiful home Puja ghar that we see today, Hindu gods and goddesses established in the form of large and small statues are not just representational but are seen as the presence of the deity in the human world. Though every icon is powerful and auspicious always, there are special Hindu festivals on which a certain god or goddess is awakened more powerfully, and bringing their statue home on that particular festival ensures that the devotee experiences their positive impact more strongly in their lives.
Published in Jul 2024
The Ultimate Guide to Spiritual Home Decor : Make Space for The Divine
In a world where work and life balance are getting tough and time for your personal growth and spiritual upliftment is difficult to find, the best way to feel positive is by creating spaces for yourself that are welcoming, optimistic, and full of lively energy. In Indian culture, for centuries people have been establishing icons of gods and goddesses, auspicious symbols, and sacred objects in their homes as powerful spiritual home decor. A spiritual decor piece could be an icon of a deity, an ancient symbol, Vaastu, and Feng shui pieces- basically, any decorative item that has a venerated value.
Published in Jun 2024
The Brass Tree Vs Smart Writer : Friends Turned Foes
It was last summer, the month of May when I first encountered the magnificent Brass Tree. My manager asked me to write a product description for it as it was a popular product and had garnered significant interest, almost as if it were the Deigo Maradona of home decor items or the Pani Puri of Brass Items- always in demand. Seeing its images made me curious and smitten at the same time. It looked regal.
Published in May 2024
Aligarh Brass Art : Unlocking the Artistic Stories of the City of Locks
Upon entering the brass factory in Aligarh, I found a structure that was in no way fitting my definition of a “factory”. With an uneven mud floor, a makeshift roof supported by steel pillars, walls painted with a thick layer of soot and dust on which hang the bags and clothes of the artists, and a portable stove on which the Kaarigars (craftsmens) were making their tea, the space looked more like a hastily developed village than a factory.
Published in May 2024
Devi in Art: How Indian Art Traditions Honor Goddesses
As Navaratri arrives, every devotee observing the nine nights of the goddess begins preparing to welcome and worship Durga and her various forms. From brass, copper, bronze, stone, and wood statues to paintings of the great goddess in her different aspects, Navaratri highlights the ways in which Hindu culture remembers and celebrates Devi. Going back to the ancient period, when the divinity of the goddess was represented through powerful symbols and simple iconography, Indian art has a plethora of ways in which Devi is commemorated. Looking at a few gems from Indian paintings, this article memorializes how Indian art traditions honor Hindu goddesses.
Published in Apr 2024
Kerala Mural Paintings: Origin & Making Process of Mural Art
The state of Kerala, “known as ‘God’s own country,” has a diverse range of religious influences in its crafts, which are preserved and protected for traditional and cultural preservation. Mural painting, practiced in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is one such art style with a strong religious impact. This art style represents the pinnacle of India’s creative legacy. Kerala’s mural painting art is noted for its quality, displaying a wonderful narrative in clear and powerful strokes with brilliant and lovely colors.
Published in Apr 2024
Phad Artwork: A Journey into Rajasthan's Rich Cultural Heritage
India has a diverse and vibrant cultural heritage. The essential aspect is that we, the people of India, have maintained that tradition alive. In our current lives, we may still see remnants of our rich cultural heritage. We take pride in our ancestry. Painting is also an important aspect of our culture. There are several painting styles that originated in India and have legends related to them. One such painting style is Phad painting (Chitra).
Published in Apr 2024
What Does White Marble Symbolize?
Here, we’ll talk about the spiritual meaning of marble/stone rocks. Mostly, these marble /stone rocks say a lot about how solid, stable, or firm we are in life. When these meanings relate to our real life, they will help us grow. Sometimes, we may fail to see the great message of hope that these things bring to us. Rocks can warn or tell us about our good traits. Let’s find out more about these meanings.
Published in Feb 2024
Cultural Tapestry of Gold in Indian Art
The earliest recorded instance of metal being used in artwork dates back to the 4th century CE. Ancient texts like the Vishnudharmottara Purana document the practice of creating gold pigments for painting, a tradition that persisted over centuries, as evidenced by later works such as the Shilpratna and Manasollasa. These texts describe a meticulous processes of gold-coated paintings and even polishing it with boar tusks to achieve their characteristic sheen. Read More!
Published in Feb 2024
Cheriyal Paintings : A Glimpse Into Their Past and Their Present
Cheriyal paintings are colorful and mostly use primary colors only. The trademark feature of a Cheriyal scroll painting is that it has a background that is red in color and a border that has floral motifs. They usually depict scenes from Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, incidents mentioned in the Puranas like the Shiv Purana, Garuda Purana, and the Markandeya Purana, and other mythological events like the Krishna Leela. Apart from this they also depict daily scenes from the lives of the common folk. It must be noted that the figures depicted in Cheriyal scroll paintings are always facing each other.
Published in Feb 2024
Decor Pieces to Give Your Space the Edge it needs
Wall tapestry gives a textural detail to the walls and add a rustic touch to the space. Tapestries are one of the easiest yet innovative ways to decorate a bare wall in a fashion that instantly arrests attention. While we aren’t suggesting that you turn your living room or your bedroom into a museum of tapestries, but textile arts, vintage fabrics, and even colourful textiles are perfect for hanging over the sofa or behind the bed. It adds colour, volume, and pattern to a space.
Published in Jun 2022
Tanjore Art – A Divine Legacy of Gold in South India’s Cradle of Arts
There’s more to golden art than jewellery. Venture south to the Tanjore district in Tamil Nadu and witness the splendid ‘Tanjore Paintings’. Thanjavur is known for being home to some of the most famous historic structures in Tamil Nadu, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Brihadeeswarar Temple. But this dormant town in the state’s centre has much more to offer than just architectural marvels. In fact, for anyone with an interest in South Indian art, music and dance forms, Thanjavur is nothing short of a pilgrimage and thoroughly deserves the title of being ‘South India’s Cradle of Arts’. Tanjore painting is a popular form of artwork that originated in Southern India. These paintings have been popular from the 16th century and have evolved under the reign of the Chola emperors and are famous for its use of gold. When the Marathas invaded Tanjore in Tamil Nadu many painters and artists migrated here and under their rule, this art form flourished. This form of painting is distinguished by its use of gold and semi-precious or precious stones which is used to accentuate the design. Each painting tells a story, usually revolving around Hindu gods, Goddesses or Saints. In olden days, Tanjore paintings were placed in dark temple shrines by emperors. In a dim place, the gold used to enhance the painting.
Published in Sep 2021