Collection: GOND

Gond Art of Madhya Pradesh

The Gond tribal community of central India believe that "viewing a good image begets good luck" This led them to decorate their houses and floors with traditional tattoos and motifs.  Subject matter extends from myths and folklores to images of daily life - real and imaginary. Artists are also inspired by symbols from day-to-day life, for example a motif that represents dry, cracked earth or the delicate patterns in the cross-section of cut lemon. Gods and Goddesses, strange and exotic birds, flying snakes, tigers, dogs and cattle, breathtakingly beautiful trees - all these originally existed as notes and lyrics of their storytelling musical traditions, and have gradually manifested on paper and canvas in a very distinctive style. The artists also take inspiration from myths and legends, activities of daily life, and abstract concepts like emotions, dreams and imagination, much like the Aboriginal art of Australia. Gond artists use lines, dots and dashes in a way that conveys a sense of movement to the still images. Colors are always bright and vivid, reflecting the beauty of nature. According to the Gond belief system, each and everything be it hill, river, rock or tree is inhabited by a spirit and consequently is sacred….making these paintings a form of respect and reverence and a reflection of man’s close connection with nature.