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Santu Tekam
Nature's Spirits

This solo exhibition by Santu Tekam showcases vibrant works inspired by his Gond heritage.

Tekam has been painting since he was a child. His maternal uncle is a well-known artist, and Tekam has learnt much of his craft from him. He expanded on the teachings of his uncle and developed his own unique techniques and skills. His “signature”, a pattern he repeats in much of his work, is the half moon as worn on Lord Shiva's head and a dot, representing a raindrop.

'Bhumijan' or 'Artists of the Earth' is a collective name given to the folk and tribal art of India. Most of these artists are indigenous farmers who paint and draw when they can't work on the land. Santu Tekam is one of these artists and is part of the Gond tribe. The Gond tribe is one of the oldest tribes in India and has many members who continue to live in forests. None of the Gond artists are formally trained in art, learning as they go along. They have a unique take on the world which has no preconceived notions of size, scale or dimension. The colours used are vibrant, and they paint as they see their surroundings. Commissioning and purchasing art from Gond artists makes a huge difference to them, allowing fresh and dynamic styles to blossom.

To learn more about Santu Tekam, please visit the Shalimar Books Instagram page.