The Creative Circuit

An exploration of the weight of history and the demand for originality on the contemporary artist, written by one of India’s best-known artists.

What conception does a modern artist or critic have of contemporary art activity? How do modern artists react to their environment and cultural inheritance? And what general norms of achievement can we think of in the highly heterogeneous art scene of today? In Creative Circuit, K. G. Subramanyan, one of India's most celebrated artists, draws upon his considerable experience as a practicing artist and theoretician to engage with these concerns from a modern Indian perspective.

Through a series of five lectures, Subramanyan critically examines key concepts such as modernity, eclecticism, and nostalgia, which have become integral to contemporary art discourse. He provocatively questions the perceptions, illusions, and emotional motivations driving artistic expression in today's heterogeneous art scene, prompting readers to reconsider established norms of achievement in the context of evolving artistic practices. With over one hundred color illustrations complementing Subramanyan's insightful discourse, Creative Circuit offers a visually engaging exploration of the interplay between tradition and innovation in contemporary art.

Subramanyan played a pivotal role in shaping India’s artistic identity after Independence. Mani-da, as he was fondly called, seamlessly blended elements of modernism with folk expression in his works, spanning paintings, murals, sculptures, prints, set designs, and toys. Beyond his visual artistry, his writings have laid a solid foundation for understanding the demands of art on the individual. In the year of his centenary, Seagull is proud to publish his writings in special new editions.