International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Globalization and the Erosion of an Essential Indian Sculptural Identity in the Medium of Stone

The rise of new mediums and processes in modern art has been closely intertwined with the forces of globalization, producing significant shifts in the hierarchy of artistic materials and practices. This paper examines the adverse impact of globalization on traditional sculptural media in India, with particular focus on stone, a medium of deep historical and cultural significance to the subcontinent. While leading Indian stone sculptors of the early 1980s succeeded in bringing the medium into prominence within contemporary Indian art and onto the global platform, this momentum was not sustained. The paper argues that globalization has resulted in the transmutation of Indian contemporary art, effectively marginalizing stone as a medium of expression. This is attributed to the growing preference for newer, more accessible materials aligned with globalized aesthetics, compounded by the failure of institutional support mechanisms, particularly private galleries, to champion stone sculpture. The paper contends that the sidelining of stone represents a deeper erosion of an essential Indian artistic identity, calling for renewed institutional engagement and critical discourse around its contemporary relevance. Keywords: Globalization, Contemporary, Stone Sculptures, New Mediums, Organic.