What to Look For in Indian Art

Indian art is filled with traditional history and devotional in nature. Its uniqueness is that it centers around Indian history, art and religion. In order to understand and relate to Indian art you must have knowledge of its Indian religious status and the political history.

To fully understand the encompassing work of the artist, you must first understand the nature of India ancient art history along with its political nature. In times past the rulers of India sponsored the arts and therefore had a profound influence over it.

Indian art purposefulness is devotional in nature and therefore to fully understand its meaning is to delve into the underlining meanings as they pertain to the India historical past.

When looking to buy this art there are a few variances of style to be aware of such as batik and or miniature paintings and sculptures.

A good way to become more familiar with Indian art is to take the time visiting as many galleries and museums as possible. This will assist you in being able to visually identify the nature of the artist and their style.

Once you are more aware of the different styles available and your have done your research such as watching reviews and adhering to the voices of critics, you are better on your way to purchasing an exquisite piece of artwork.

Indian artifacts and artwork uniqueness contributes to their value and price ranges may greatly vary. If pricing is a factor it may be best to seek out artwork of new and upcoming Indian artists.

The art itself comes in arrays of depiction of the Hindu and Buddhism culture of paintings and collectible sculptures. This includes an array of miniature paintings of Batiks, Thangkas and Madhubani Folk Art as well as a variety of oil paintings.

There is another identifying aspect of the art comes with an appreciation of the adornments semi precious gemstones, jewels and beading that generally is seen on the clothes and other items that carries the distinct Indian culture.

When becoming familiar with Indian art history, having previous knowledge of Hinduism and Buddhism will make selecting the best meaningful artwork for you task less strenuous.

Batik art, Hindu art and Silk paintings will all depict a form of Hinduism in the traditional miniature artwork. Mughal art depicts the medieval mughal dynasty which can also be seen in large silk paintings.

There are also paintings of the traditional artwork of the Taj Mahal made out of marbles on sauces and tiles. There are oil paintings that you will find of an lifelike imagery that follows the Raja Ravi Varma tradition which elaborates on the Indian and Hindu culture.

You will also find many paintings of the ten sikh gurus of time pasts are also captured in this traditional form of art. This will be of most impressive as a viewing in any home or room.

Indian art has an extensive history that can be researched as you ponder the best representation for your home, office or work environment. Remember that what you choose will be representative of the culture it is depicting therefore when asked about that painting, you will want to be well versed on why you choose that particular piece.

Hand Painted Silks Add Artistic Touches to the Home

Art may truly be in the eye of the beholder. What some experts deem "art" leaves those less educated in art history scratching their heads. But one thing is certain: art has become an integral part of interior decorating for the home. From throw pillows featuring exotic fabrications and finely crafted baskets to hand painted silks and children's hand-painted furniture, art in the home is here to stay.

Hand painted silks are especially appealing, and can add elegance and sophistication to interiors. Silk paintings for wall displays use high quality dyes on luxurious silk that look gorgeous in frames. Hand painted silks can also be used for screens, giving an exotic and highly appealing theme to a boudoir. Similarly, abstract silk scarves draped over chair backs or nightstands add a subtle beauty to a dressing area. Decorative hand painted silk pillowcases can also provide a colorful contrast to solid color bedding and walls.

Hand painted silks and dyed silks have a rich and ancient tradition. Experts speculate that silk was first developed between 5,000 and 6,000 years ago in China, and was used as an elegant fabric for garments and, eventually, as an important component of the country's trade. Indeed, the 5,000-mile "Silk Road" connected China to Persia, India, Egypt (where mummies were sometimes wrapped in silk), and Rome.

In India, Kanchi silk was and is woven and hand-dyed, and treasured for its superior craftsmanship and vibrant colors. Silk played an important role in the Roman Empire, and used to clothe emperors and as diplomatic gifts.

Most people are familiar with batik, a silk painting method that dates back more than 1,800 years. Batik is termed a "resist" technique because wax is applied to the fabric to make it "resist" penetration by the dye. Often, a fabric is waxed and dyed many consecutive times in order to incorporate many colors into the fabric.

Another "resist" method utilizes "gutta," a derivative of the Indonesian Palaquim tree that is a natural latex. Gutta is most often used with the French Serti silk painting method. The consistency of gutta is similar to that of rubber cement, and is not as easily removed as wax or water-based gutta.

Today, artists use a variety of silk dyes and paints to achieve breathtakingly beautiful contemporary art. Those that produce the most vivid colors are dyes that require steaming in order to bond with the fabric. Paints used for hand painted silk are often the consistency of watercolors, and are set by using an iron.

When decorating your home, keep in mind that not all hand painted silks incorporate Asian themes. Contemporary images and colors abound, and you're sure to find silk scarves, silk framed art, silk pillowcases, and silk panels that complement your decorating scheme.