Free from bias?

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FICA 2011 winner Charmi Gada Shah’s work

A slew of art awards, many recently instituted, complemented by established ones such as those given by art schools have led to the resurfacing of the debate on biases, most importantly the raison d’etre of awarding avant garde, anti-establishment and avowedly anti-commercial, art practices such as installations, happenings and the like.

Art awards have replaced royal patronage as the touchstone of recognition for both the young and semi-established artistes. The Salon, the official exhibition of Académie des Beaux-Arts Paris (started 1725) introduced a jury of awarded artistes from 1748. The art writer or critic too finds its origin in these events as the academie had to justify its choices in words. In the 19th century The Salon became an annual government-sponsored juried exhibition of new works of art.
In times to follow The Salon became a vanguard for established schools of aesthetics and opposed any break from tradition such as espoused by the Impressionists. It is in 1863 that things came to head when the jury rejected a large majority of works; in order to establish The Salon’s democratic credentials The Salon des Refusés was instituted containing works rejected by the academic Salon, marking the birth of the avant-garde. Ironically today in India and internationally, avant garde art, despite its avowed aim of eschewing the conventional/ commercial has in many ways become the arbiter of taste and of “awards”.
The jury for the Skoda Prize was announced last week and subsequently short listed artists as well as the winners will be showcased at the Mecca of Indian art, the Indian Art fair. The award offers an opportunity for mid-career artists across India Art Positive, a unit of Bajaj Capital Art House offers a one year fellowship aimed at the same demographic. Foundation of Contemporary Art offers awards for Emerging Artist along with giving aid for Public Art Grant. Though the list of awardees in the last couple of years has reflected the preferences of the sponsors/jurors/ impresarios, one must admit such awards do provide a platform to the emerging trends and artists.