Introduction to Shalinart -- a website which allows you to view contemporary Indian paintings and sculpture, and presents Indian Folk and Tribal paintings culled from the artisans themselves.

by Shalini Verma

February 23, 1999 (INB) -- India's current art scene is unfamiliar to an entire spectrum of art aficionados. Many assume Indian art to be religious in nature or think of erotic sculpture; few are aware that India hosts a vibrant tribal, folk and contemporary art community. Modern cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai abound with art galleries showcasing works from the established artist to the emerging, ranging from abstract to realism, figurative to conceptual. In some of the more remote regions of the country, folk and tribal art have resurfaced with a vengeance and gained a significant following among the general Indian public. This range in diverse styles has substantiated India as one of the forthcoming regions to present a thriving artistic environment.

For those unfamiliar with Indian art, here's a site that provides an introduction to Indian art of all shades. Those who have less access to travel, who tend to explore different cultures through literature or via the Internet and those interested in the art world can now browse through the Indian art scene from the comfort of their home. The Shalinart gallery exists solely on the Net and maintains no physical presence. New artwork is rotated in frquently. The purpose is to foster an environment where debate, quality of work and conversation provide us and the artists a forum in which to interact with the larger audience of the Internet.

Shalinart allows you to view contemporary Indian paintings and sculpture on display in the leading art galleries in India. The site also present Indian Folk and Tribal paintings culled from the artisans themselves.

The site utilizes a user-friendly design: viewers may simply click on an icon to navigate through the galleries. All the pages are designed for rapid display while maintaining the highest image quality. Details of each piece of artwork are viewed by enlarging the image via a single click. Each piece of artwork is accompanied by a write-up specially contributed by an art critic, the gallery, or the artists themselves.

The Shalinart site, designed by painter Apaarjeet Chopra, is located at https://www.shalinart-india.com.