Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

Beginning on 5 October 2024, the Barbican will host ‘The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975-1998,’ the first-ever exhibition to delve into this era of profound cultural and political transformation in India. Showcasing close to 150 artworks spanning paintings, sculptures, photography, installations and films, this significant group exhibition explores how 30 artists captured key moments of the late 20th century and the subtle nuances of life during those times. Accompanying the exhibition is a specially curated film series, ‘Rewriting the Rules: Pioneering Indian Cinema after 1970.’

The exhibition is framed by two historic events in India — the proclamation of the State of Emergency by Indira Gandhi in 1975 and the Pokhran Nuclear Tests in 1998 — providing a deep dive into an era characterised by intense social change, economic volatility and swift urbanisation.

The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975 -1998

The exhibition examines the declaration of the Emergency in 1975 and the subsequent suspension of civil liberties as a pivotal moment of national consciousness, highlighting the direct and indirect artistic reactions it incited. It explores the artistic output that emerged during the following two decades, amidst the upheaval of an evolving socio-political environment. Concluding with the 1998 nuclear tests, the exhibition demonstrates the nation’s departure from the principles of non-violence, which had once been fundamental to its struggle for independence from British colonial rule.

Spanning both floors of the gallery, “The Imaginary Institution of India” takes visitors on a journey through a period of intense change. The featured artists engage with the evolving landscape of late 20th century India, some reacting to the national events unfolding around them, while others focus on capturing the nuances of daily life and communal experiences. Their works blend social commentary with personal expression and formal innovation, exploring themes of friendship, love, desire, family, religion, violence, caste, community and protest. These themes form the four central pillars of the exhibition: the escalation of communal violence; explorations of gender and sexuality; the impacts of urbanisation and changing class dynamics; and the reconnection with local and traditional practices.

The exhibition presents multiple works from most artists, offering a comprehensive insight into their artistic journeys and underscoring the stylistic progression within their bodies of work. It charts the trajectory of Indian art history, from the dominance of figurative painting in the mid-1970s to the advent of video and installation art in the 1990s. The upper galleries, dedicated to wall-based art, transition to immersive installations on the lower floor, with the exhibition design echoing the dynamic urban transformation of India and the fluid interplay between public and private spaces, between the street and the home.

Participating artists:

Pablo Bartholomew, Jyoti Bhatt, Rameshwar Broota, Sheba Chhachhi, Anita Dube, Sheela Gowda, Sunil Gupta, Safdar Hashmi, M. F. Husain, Rummana Hussain, Jitish Kallat, Bhupen Khakhar, K. P. Krishnakumar, Nalini Malani, Tyeb Mehta, Meera Mukherjee, Madhvi Parekh, Navjot Altaf, Gieve Patel, Sudhir Patwardhan, C. K. Rajan, N. N. Rimzon, Savindra Sawarkar, Himmat Shah, Gulammohammed Sheikh, Nilima Sheikh, Arpita Singh, Jangarh Singh Shyam, Vivan Sundaram, and J. Swaminathan.

Rewriting the Rules: Pioneering Indian Cinema

The Barbican will complement the exhibition by presenting “Rewriting the Rules: Pioneering Indian Cinema after 1970” from October 3 to December 12, curated by Dr. Omar Ahmed, a writer and international curator of South Asian Cinema.

The Imaginary Institution of India

The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975-1998 is at Barbican Art Gallery from 5 October 2024 to 5 January 2025.

Tickets

Tickets for £20 are on sale here. The Barbican is offering two ‘Pay What You Can’ slots each week. Choose a price that’s affordable for you and experience the exhibition. By paying the standard ticket price, if possible, you contribute to the support of our Visual Arts programme. Further details will be provided here.

Open Gallery Weekend

On Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October, The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975-1998 exhibition at the Barbican will be open to the public for free as part of a comprehensive celebration of Indian arts, music and culture. Coinciding with the Hindu Festival of Lights, Diwali, and the Sikh celebration Bandi Chor Divas, the Barbican offers a rich array of Indian arts and culture through its diverse programme, including The Imaginary Institution of India in the Gallery, Rewriting the Rules: Pioneering Indian Cinema after 1970 in the Cinemas, and the Darbar Festival in the Hall, Milton Court Concert Hall, and foyers. Complimentary tickets for the Gallery will be available from Thursday 10 October. Further details about the weekend’s events can be found here.

Main image: Bhupen Khakhar, Grey Blanket, 1998 © Estate of Bhupen Khakhar.