Which Indian artist's signature use of bindis in her installations addresses identity and tradition?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is (A) Bharti Kher.
Explanation:
☛ Bharti Kher is an internationally acclaimed contemporary Indian artist known for her signature use of manufactured bindis in sculptures and installations.
☛ She employs the bindi—traditionally associated with the Indian concept of the "third eye"—to interrogate themes of gender, identity, domesticity, and cultural tradition.
☛ One of her most iconic works is 'The Skin Speaks a Language Not Its Own' (2006), a monumental sculpture of a dying female elephant covered in thousands of sperm-shaped white bindis.
☛ Born in London in 1969, she relocated to New Delhi in 1993, and her multidisciplinary practice spans sculpture, painting, and large-scale public art.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Mithu Sen: A contemporary Indian artist widely recognized for her mixed-media works exploring sexuality, language, and the human body.
☛ Raqib Shaw: A London-based artist born in Srinagar, celebrated for his opulent, jewel-encrusted paintings depicting fantastical landscapes inspired by mythology and Persian miniatures.
☛ L.N. Tallur: A contemporary sculptor from Karnataka famous for blending traditional Indian iconography with industrial machinery and absurdity.
☛ In 2015, Bharti Kher was conferred France's prestigious cultural honour, the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters).
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which famous sculpture by Bharti Kher depicts a collapsed elephant covered entirely in white bindis? → 'The Skin Speaks a Language Not Its Own'
☛ Which contemporary Indian artist was awarded the 'Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres' in 2015? → Bharti Kher
☛ Which Indian artist created the bronze sculpture titled 'The Ancestor' installed in Central Park, New York? → Bharti Kher
☛ Which premier international contemporary art exhibition in India is hosted biennially in Kerala? → Kochi-Muziris Biennale
☛ Who was the modern Indian artist famous for creating the iconic 1905 painting 'Bharat Mata'? → Abanindranath Tagore