Modes of Parallel Practice:
Ways of Art Making

This series of work Re-Vision from the project - Modes of Parallel Practice : Ways of World Making 1997-1998 is an outcome of an interactive phase of working side by side with 5 Adivasi artists Shantibai, Rajkumar, Raituram, Kabiram, Gessu and Raju Mewada (assistant from Bombay) in a workshop space at Shilpi Gram in Kondagaon, Bastar.

While doing independent sculptural works, extensive travel in and around Bastar and discussions continued Simultaneously. Focus of the discussions was on issues concerning the language produced through different modes of art practices in contemporary Adivasi and urban art, re-defining the terminology of art/craft and artist/crafts-person in the context of Art history. Questions regarding the misconception that Adivasi art is created by groups rather than by individuals, and the difference between the prevailing guild system in some of the studios in Bastar, and collaboration as a strategy in contemporary Indian art also helped understand one another as well as our premises and positions as artists. Though gradual, the process encouraged communication amongst the artists at various levels leading to the ongoing activities with the communities in Kondagaon to this day. Art historian Bhanu Narayan participated as an observer.