Discover the India Art Fair: A Creative Oasis Amid Delhi’s Election Tensions

The India Art Fair (IAF) is currently underway in Delhi, running until February 9. This event is happening during a politically charged time, with results for the Delhi legislative elections set to be announced tomorrow, February 8.

Many polls suggest that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a right-wing party, may replace the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has led Delhi since 2015. If this happens, it would mark the BJP’s first win in Delhi in over 20 years. The BJP has been in power at the national level for 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jaya Asokan, the director of the IAF, has emphasized that they aim to provide a platform for artists to express their opinions on political and social issues. However, she acknowledges the sensitivity surrounding the current elections and the political climate in the capital.

Inside the IAF grounds, stricter security measures are in place. Exhibitors set up a day early to accommodate these changes. While the immediate impact of the elections on the fair seems limited, there is a growing unease among organizers regarding how to handle politically charged artwork. Some artists now think twice about showcasing pieces that critique the BJP or address sensitive topics like religious violence or relations with Pakistan. One international gallery reported they were advised to reconsider featuring a Pakistani artist.

Concerns weren’t just sparked by the elections. Recently, the gallery DAG faced backlash when the Delhi police confiscated a drawing by the late artist M. F. Husain portraying a nude Hindu deity. A complaint claimed it offended religious sentiments. Although the gallery overturned the initial order, it highlighted the fragile state of artistic freedom in the region.

This incident is part of what some call a “Saffron wave,” a term referring to the rise of the Hindu right. Despite the challenges, DAG brought a different piece by Husain that, while still challenging, is less provocative than the seized work.

Some exhibitors feel pressured to avoid topics that could lead to controversy. At the Emami stall, a series of paintings by Ali Akhbar Mehta explore Islamic culture but were presented in a way that minimizes potential backlash. The paintings feature mosques and ritual attire and have elements that could invite scrutiny.

This cautious approach is not without reason. The art community remembers incidents like the one in 2020, when police removed works about the anti-government protests in Shaheen Bagh from the cultural center of the Italian Embassy.

Amidst this backdrop, some artists are still finding ways to make bold statements. Project 88 features the artist Trupti Patel, whose sculptures made from raw earth reflect government failures in agriculture. Meanwhile, Threshold in Delhi displays works by Anindita Bhattachyarya, which connect the Urdu language and its rich history to modern politics. Bhattachyarya notes that Urdu, once a sign of cultural unity, has become weaponized in political discourse.

Shilpa Gupta is holding a solo exhibition a short drive from the fair that touches on censorship faced by artists today. Her work features recordings of poetry from imprisoned activists, demonstrating that while there are restrictions, artists still find ways to communicate their messages.

Recently, another artist, Reena Kallat, presented a show exploring themes of democracy at a public museum. Notably, the exhibition omits the texts of the Indian and Pakistani constitutions after discussions with museum officials—a clear sign of the ongoing need to navigate sensitive topics carefully.

As the votes from the Delhi elections are counted, observers note a lack of clear arts policy from either major political party. For years, the arts have struggled for attention in a city caught between AAP governance and BJP control at the national level. Yasmin Kidwai, a documentarian, points out that this has led to a neglect of cultural issues.

Despite these pressures, there is a sense of resilience among artists and galleries. Many are learning to adapt to the political landscape, with younger artists demonstrating creativity in overcoming the restrictions imposed on their work. Kidwai remains optimistic that if the BJP wins, its cultural policy won’t necessarily have the same impact in the diverse city of Delhi, suggesting that the city’s cultural richness makes it less susceptible to divisive tactics.