Gond Tribal Art & Paintings

Gond Elephant Painting 13" x 10.5"

These signature styles are the essence of this tribal art form and are intrinsically used to fill the surface of their decorative patterns and motifs. The allusiveness and individualism of each Gond artist is defined by these signature styles.

The Gond tribal community is one of the central India's largest indigenous communities and their art is an expression of their everyday quest for life. The Gond art rendezvous with the belief that "viewing a good image begets good luck". This inherent belief led the Gonds to decorating their houses and the floors with traditional tattoos and motifs. However, Gondi art has since transposed onto paper and canvass with talented artists showcasing their skills.

Gond art resonates with a culturally distinctive ethos and draws inspiration from myths and legends to images of daily life, as well as it reckons with surreality of emotions, dreams, and imagination. The mythical beasts and the intricate detailing of flora and fauna are the dominant themes that have animated the lives of the Gonds for centuries and their art is used as means to record history.

The fine lines, dots and dashes of traditional Gond Pradhan motifs were introduced to the world by the late painter J.Swaminathan, who discovered a talented seventeen year old Jangarh Singh Shyam decorating the huts of Patangarh in Madhya Pradesh.Jangarh's meteoric rise to fame was marked by his acclaimed exhibitions in Paris and Tokyo and ended on a tragic note with his suicide.

Jangarh Singh Shyam's proteges include the talented and internationally renowned artist Bhajju Shyam who has been credited with the critically acclaimed "The London Jungle Book".

The book chronicles Bhajjus cultural experiences of London in the Gondi style of art where London is transformed into a jungle inhabited by a host of wondrous creatures.

Bhajjus work draws inspiration from nature ,folk  tales and the Gond pantheon.His signature pattern is marked by a chain of linked dancers.  Bhajju had his first international exposure in 1998 as a part of a group of exhibition at the Musee des arts decoratifs in Paris ,a tribute to the rich legacy of Jangarh Shyam.

The Gond artists apart from experimenting with themes have also innovated with the medium.  Venkat and Rajendra have painted cells for animation film "The best of the best" produced by a Scotland based company.  Rajendra's work has been exhibited at the Notingham New Art Exchange Gallery, London.  Rajendra in collaboration with Venkat Shyam  painted called a 70 Kg fiberglass elephant called the 'udta Haathi' ( Flying elephant) to commemorate the elephant parade mela in London.

Jangarh Singh Shyam's acrylic work was auctioned recently by Southbey's, New York auction, for an amount of Rs. 6.3 Lakhs.

Not surprisingly Gondi art with its vibrant and compelling patterns has captivated the international art market. This exposure has transformed the lives of these tribal artists, encouraging them to transcend cultural barriers and paint the language of the universe in their own special way.

Gond Tribal Tiger Painting 13" x 10.5"