Commitment, devotion and belonging in the world with particular reference to the work of two Indian contemporary artists

Abstract

Commitment, Devotion and Belonging in the World with Reference to Indian Contemporary Art: Research into the ethical and political concerns in the work of two urban contemporary artists from Bombay/ Mumbai, Shilpa Gupta and Tushar Joag. The descriptive analysis of artworks explores the motivations evidenced in their strategic uses of audience interactivity, masquerade and social activism. The artists' quest for an ethical identity is framed in the greater theoretical context of Indian and global contemporary art. A study taking the form of an exhibition of sculpture exhibited at the ANU Bergman College Multidenominational Prayer space from August 24 to 29, 2009 which comprises the outcome of the Studio Practice component, together with the Exegesis which documents the nature of the course of study undertaken, and the Dissertation, which comprises 33% (or 66%) of the Thesis.