Fine Arts · Class 1 · Looking at Art from India's Past · Term 2

Art Made by Artists Today

Students will be introduced to prominent contemporary Indian artists and art movements, discussing how they blend traditional influences with modern themes and techniques.

• CBSE Learning Outcomes
• NCERT: Art History - Contemporary Indian Art - Class 7

About This Topic

This topic introduces students to prominent contemporary Indian artists and art movements that blend traditional influences with modern themes and techniques. Students observe works by artists such as M.F. Husain, with his vibrant depictions of horses and rural life, or Bharti Kher, using bindis to create textured installations. Through guided discussions, they describe what they see, identify possible materials like acrylic paints or mixed media, and connect paintings to familiar stories or objects from their lives. This builds visual observation skills and sparks curiosity about art's evolution.

Placed within the unit on art from India's past, the topic shows continuity between historical motifs like Madhubani patterns and contemporary expressions addressing urban life or identity. It aligns with NCERT standards for art history, fostering cultural pride and critical thinking via key questions that encourage descriptive language and personal associations.

Active learning benefits this topic greatly, as hands-on gallery explorations and creation tasks make abstract blends tangible. When students recreate artist techniques with everyday materials or compare images side-by-side, they internalise connections kinesthetically, enhancing retention and enthusiasm for India's diverse art heritage.

Key Questions

1. What materials do you think this artist used to make this picture?
2. What do you see in this painting , can you describe it?
3. Does this modern painting remind you of anything you know?

Learning Objectives

• Identify specific materials and techniques used by contemporary Indian artists.
• Compare and contrast traditional Indian art motifs with those found in contemporary Indian art.
• Describe visual elements in artworks by modern Indian artists, using specific vocabulary.
• Explain how contemporary Indian artists blend traditional influences with modern themes.
• Connect visual elements in contemporary Indian art to personal experiences or familiar objects.

Before You Start

Introduction to Indian Art Forms

Why: Students need a basic familiarity with traditional Indian art styles to understand how contemporary artists adapt or reference them.

Elements and Principles of Art

Why: Understanding concepts like line, colour, shape, and texture helps students analyse and describe artworks by contemporary artists.

Key Vocabulary

Contemporary Art	Art created in the present day, often reflecting current social, political, or cultural issues and using modern materials and techniques.
Mixed Media	An artwork created using a combination of different artistic materials, such as paint, collage, fabric, or found objects.
Installation Art	An artwork created by assembling and arranging various objects or materials in a specific space, often to create an immersive experience for the viewer.
Traditional Motifs	Recurring visual elements or patterns that have been used in art for a long time, often carrying cultural or symbolic meaning, like those found in Madhubani or Warli art.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Modern art has nothing to do with traditional Indian art.

What to Teach Instead

Contemporary artists often incorporate motifs like rangoli or mythology into new forms. Side-by-side comparisons in group discussions help students spot these links, shifting their view through shared evidence.

Common Misconception

Artists today only use fancy new materials, not simple ones.

What to Teach Instead

Many use accessible items like bindis, paper, or paints alongside traditional colours. Hands-on trials with these materials let students experiment, clarifying that innovation builds on basics.

Common Misconception

All contemporary paintings look messy or unrealistic.

What to Teach Instead

Works blend realism with abstraction to express ideas. Guided describing activities reveal intentional choices, as peer talks help students appreciate structure over initial confusion.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk: Spot the Blend

Display 5-6 prints of contemporary Indian artworks around the classroom. In small groups, students walk slowly, noting colours, shapes, and traditional elements like lotuses or elephants. Each group shares one observation linking to past art they know.

30 min·Small Groups

Artist Chat Pairs

Pair students; one acts as an artist showing a printed work, the other asks key questions like 'What materials did you use?' or 'What does it remind you of?'. Switch roles after 5 minutes and discuss as a class.

25 min·Pairs

Create Your Blend

Provide paper, crayons, and stickers. Students draw a traditional motif like a peacock, then add modern twists such as city buildings or bright neon colours. Display and describe their works.

35 min·Individual

Then and Now Match-Up

In small groups, give cards with past art images and matching contemporary ones. Students pair them, discuss similarities in themes or styles, and present findings to the class.

40 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Museums like the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi and the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Noida exhibit works by contemporary Indian artists, allowing the public to see these blends of tradition and modernity firsthand.
• Graphic designers and illustrators working for Indian publishing houses often draw inspiration from traditional Indian art forms to create modern book covers and advertisements that appeal to a wide audience.
• Art galleries in cities such as Mumbai and Bengaluru regularly host exhibitions featuring living Indian artists, providing opportunities to engage with current artistic trends and discussions.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a printed image of a contemporary Indian artwork. Ask them to write down two observations about what they see and one material they think the artist might have used. Then, ask them to write one sentence about what this painting reminds them of.

Discussion Prompt

Show students two artworks: one traditional Indian art piece (e.g., a Madhubani painting) and one contemporary Indian artwork. Ask: 'How are these two artworks similar? How are they different? What makes the second painting feel modern?'

Quick Check

During a class discussion about an artist's work, pause and ask students to point to a specific element in the artwork and explain what they think it represents or where they might have seen something similar before. For example, 'Can anyone point to a part of this artwork that looks like it comes from an older Indian art style?'

Frequently Asked Questions

How to introduce contemporary Indian artists to Class 1 students?

Start with vivid, relatable images from artists like M.F. Husain, focusing on familiar animals or festivals. Use simple key questions to describe elements, building confidence. Follow with short videos of artists at work to show process, keeping sessions to 20 minutes with movement breaks for young attention spans.

Which contemporary Indian artists suit primary Fine Arts?

Choose accessible ones like M.F. Husain for bold colours and stories, or Subodh Gupta for everyday objects like utensils turned art. Avoid complex abstracts; select pieces with clear Indian motifs. Print large images for group viewing to engage all students visually.

How can active learning help students understand art made by artists today?

Active approaches like gallery walks and hands-on blending tasks make modern-traditional mixes experiential. Students walk, touch materials, and create their versions, turning passive viewing into discovery. This kinesthetic engagement clarifies concepts, boosts memory through play, and encourages shy children via pairs or groups.

What activities link past and present Indian art?

Use match-up games pairing historical miniatures with contemporary twists, or collage stations mixing old patterns with new media. Group talks on similarities build connections. These 30-minute activities reinforce curriculum flow, helping students see art as living heritage.