The Stories and Signatures of Gond Art
A look at how this distinct art form encourages artistic individuality in both storytelling and style
From the charm of a tiny ant surrounded by tall grass, to a resplendent deer with antlers that become a flowering tree with birds sitting on it, to horses flying "as they did in old times" (says Bhajju Shyam confidently), Gond artists allow themselves the freedom to depict anything their fertile imagination creates.
See how the artisans create this form of art:
Gond Art: Bharat Bhavan (2014) by Bhajju ShyamDastkari Haat Samiti
The subject matter can be anything the artist wishes
A Gond artist is like an individual contemporary artist in the world. Often, the work is based on folklore or a tribal customs. There may be a seed of reality visible or the work could be abstract. It could even be a combination of the two.
Gond Art: Dharti Ma (2010) by Bhajju ShyamDastkari Haat Samiti
This painting, depicting prayers to Dharti Mata or Mother Earth, is based on a tribal custom. Before the seed is sown in the fields, it is offered to the Earth.
The many footprints symbolize the whole village, on behalf of whom the priest conducts the prayers and makes the offerings, which is symbolized by the bird.
The sowing of the fields is like a festival, with everyone participating in it.
The birds in the trees and the animals show the relationship of man with other creatures, and represent life in its different forms.
Gond Art: Every artist has his or her signature detailing (2017) by Bhajju ShyamDastkari Haat Samiti
Signature styles
The detailing in a Gond artwork makes it distinctive. Each artist has his or her own individual recognizable detailing style.
Gond Art: Every artist has his or her signature detailing (2014) by Bhajju ShyamDastkari Haat Samiti
The most interesting aspect of the Gonds practically ‘inventing’ their ‘tradition’ in the 20th century is that while they have adopted a signature style recognizable as the genre of Gond art, they have also given themselves individual signatures within signatures.
Gond Art: The Fruit Bearing Tree (2014) by Bhajju ShyamDastkari Haat Samiti
These consist of repetitive lines, minuscule dots, diagonals, chains, tiny circles, crosses or any other form of stroke that can be repeated thousands of times over.
Gond Art: Work in process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Such signature embellishments creating textures, tones, and sections within a painting make for Gond art.
Gond Art: The artist at work (2017) by Bhajju ShyamDastkari Haat Samiti
Detailing the stories
All artworks begin with the artist sketching the outline of the work. Gond artists do not need any initial pencil or rough drawing. Once the outline is complete, individual areas are filled in. The eyes are always filled in last – as it is believed that giving sight breathes life into the work.
Gond Art: Work in process (2017) by Bhajju ShyamDastkari Haat Samiti
The artist sketches the outline of the work, without initial pencil or rough drawing.
Gond Art: The artist at work (2017) by Bhajju ShyamDastkari Haat Samiti
Individual areas are then filled in.
Gond Art: The artist at work (2017) by Bhajju ShyamDastkari Haat Samiti
For a large canvas, this process can take several weeks.
See a Gond artist filling in the details for yourself:
Read more about Gond painting here:
-Ancient and Contemporary Fountainheads
-Bhajju Shyam
-Gallery of Gond Artists
