Monday, March 5, 2012

Indian Graphics


 One of the things I loved about India was the richness of graphics in signs and decorations.

I passed by this sign in Munnar one day in a taxi and spent the next two days trying to locate it so i could take her picture


The gleaming smile in the jewelry store



The Bollywood posters

The Raja's portrait in the City Palace in Jaipur

In tile

handpainted signs on vehicles

Hand painted signs at the deer park in Sarnath



Enigmatic works of art

Gandhi graffiti

Not graphics but wonderfully kitschy 

I love the primitive perspective on this one

On just about any surface

Don't ask me what the meaning of this is

Found on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi

I adore the richness of colors and decoration of almost every available surface in India. So much of it is still hand painted giving a richness and simplicity that evokes the soul of India for me.
I think about how many skilled sign painters that must still exist there and it surely must be a dying breed here in the west. Affordable advertising and art brilliantly executed. 

31 comments:

  1. It's like walking through an outdoor museum exhibit; must have been amazing to see in person!
    I always have had a soft spot for hand painted signs that I have no idea what their purpose is, but the color or line grabs my attention. Or some that have faded and only a bit is left...
    Lovely travelogue!

    XXOO~~
    Anne

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    1. It is so much fun to go sign spotting in my travels. I was surprised to find some hand painted signs in the tourist town of Tombstone the other day. Didn't happen to have my camera with me.

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  2. I find the colours so inspiring especially the bright pinks and vivid blues.

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    1. The whole country is so filled with color, you can get lost in the details anywhere you look.

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  3. It is the intensity of the colours that grab me - and the boldness of the graphics - truly amazing. Given that there are many people in the country who struggle economically these signs seem so optimistic and joyful - even when you don't know what they mean!
    x
    sue

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  4. loved the glass! really good choices for photos. right now I’m drolling over your headpins...I promised myself no more shopping right now...but...

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    1. I think you could make some wonderful pieces with my headpins, Perhaps we can do a trade.

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  5. I so enjoyed seeing these images Kim. Hand painted signs are popular here since roadside kiosks are popping up everywhere, even in the main street in front of stores and of course they all need a sign.

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    1. Oh, I bet you see loads of them where you live. I am drawn to the more primitive ones as well. I realized when traveling in Asia, especially the poorer countries that many people can't read and need pictures for signs.

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  6. oh my gosh, these are so inspiring! you can really see the influence of the rich art history of India (those amazing miniatures!) in this street art, eh? What a saucy attitude on the medicines woman sign. thank you for sharing these!!! -sus

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    1. It's a wonder she didn't disappear in the night. I have to satisfy myself with just taking photos and inspiration!

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  7. amazing collection of graphics... still shaking my head over the bull in the shop that you posted on FB!!

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    1. Yes, that was something, I really ought to share it here too.

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  8. love that first one - medicals - totally great the lips! but all of them are a terrific collection

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  9. Quite amazing graphics, love the sign you hunted for....xox Corrine

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  10. These are all so amazing!! I can see why you love them so.HuGS,Cat

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    1. I ought to do a book of signs form Asia one day. Cambodia had some really amazing ones too, so many folks can't read there so the signs are pictorial.

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  11. I am so glad you found her cause she is amazing!
    It is where time stands still.
    I guess there are some places here in the west that still take pride in the hand painted arts.
    But it is sad that not more are taking advantage of local artists and their talents, it is a way to give back to our own country so easily.
    Amy

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    1. It seems like you see it more in the street art in the cities these days, people painting for free.

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  12. I love these photos! I can't help but ask the question though... what is that man throwing at that alligator? I want that sign in my studio!

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    1. He's throwing a rock at it! It was a warning sign of what not to do. I love the form, so awkward!
      Thanks for stopping in, nice to hear from someone new.

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  13. Thank you so much for taking so many gorgeous photos, and for sharing them here. They are a feast for my eyes, which are so tired of the endless brown and gray and white of a Wisconsin winter. I'm craving color these days! :0)
    xo

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    1. Oh, I can just imagine. I did spend over 30 winters in Alaska so I know. Blues white, green and brown mostly.
      thanks for coming by!

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  14. Thanks for your lovely comments, always great to hear from you. When I go into new post it comes up with compose html etc and if you press compose it comes up with another menu that has font and formatting. Hope that helps.

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  15. The owl is amazing, specially offset by just the flaking wall, wonderful.

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  16. Never done this before, Kim...is it working?

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  17. oh, my actual comment...the Jaipur raja is quite wonderful. Is he really wearing glasses and a baseball cap?

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    1. The glasses are real , It does kind of look like a baseball cap but more elegant I think.

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