Artists in the War Zone

Bangalore-based Pushpamala N is leading the protest in support of Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI),by putting in her protest papers and starting a signature campaign. Large numbers of artists and academicians have joined in,among them are Vivan Sundaram,Nalini Malani,Ram Rahman,Sharmila Samant,Geeta Kapoor and Amar Kanwar. Artist Tushar Joag points out they are following the rules laid by PACBI. “It is not an arbitrary decision. The cultural boycott has come from PACBI and that is why we stand in solidarity with them,” he says. Adds Ram Rahman,“We are against it because it is a show affiliated with the government of Israel,and we are sympathetic to the cause of Palestine.”

Another section of artists,however,is not supporting the protest. “This is an occasion to fall back on history and learn from mistakes; an opportunity to devise newer forms of protests that promote,not hamper our freedom of expression,” says Riyas Komu,an artist whose works reflect a commentary on world issues,and who will be among the participating Indian artists in the Tel Aviv. His work,Blood Brothers,a depiction of a group of warriors cast in aluminum,will be on display. “This was exhibited in Iran last year. I think it is appropriate since the mural represents conflict and fits in contextually,” he adds.

Art critic and curator Girish Shahane wonders about the outcome if Indian artists begin to boycott shows based on a country’s political ideology. He had responded to Pushpamala’s call for signatures by stating: “Associating art institutions and centres of learning so closely with state policy is a silly mistake in my opinion.”

One of India’s leading contemporaries,Subodh Gupta,whose work will also be exhibited in Tel Aviv,says that he was not aware of this. “My artwork was sourced from a gallery. There are a lot of problems in the world but we cannot stop making and showing art. For that matter,we should not even show in India,a country from which an artist like MF Husain was exiled,” concludes Gupta.