Tribal art revival in Chhattisgarh; stolen art repatriated to Nigeria; Canada seeks art reform

A SUMMARY OF THE MOST EXCITING ART NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

While we focus on Indian art, we can’t obviously function in a vacuum. It’s a small world and everything is connected, especially on the web. So, let’s train our spotlight across the world map to see what’s going on — from art trends to socio-political issues to everything that affects the great aesthetic global consciousness. Or, let’s just travel the world and have some fun!

Young artists revive Chhattisgarh’s ‘Godna’ tribal art 

A group of locals from Bastar in Chhattisgarh has taken up the task of reviving the region’s age-old ‘Godna’ tattoo art form, which tribals believe is the only ornament that remains with them even after death. Some local youth, mostly tribals, are now trying to give a face-lift to the Godna art by promoting it among tourists, telling them about its significance and drawing the traditional designs with a modern twist while also ensuring safety, hygiene and use of good quality ink and other equipment. This primitive artistry, known for traditional designs like the bow and arrow and bison horn headgear, is waning in the fast-changing world as people are more attracted towards the modern tattoo designs. This has been a concern for the tribal community from Bastar. Nearly 20 young locals attended a 15-day training on Godna and modern tattoo art organised at the Bastar Academy of Dance, Art and Language (BADAL) by the district administration in May and June this year. The Indian Express has all the details. 

Horniman Museum to return 72 artefacts to Nigeria 

A museum in London says it has agreed to return to Nigeria artefacts looted in the 19th Century from the Kingdom of Benin. The Horniman Museum said ownership of 72 objects would be transferred to the Nigerian government. Items include 12 brass plaques, known as Benin Bronzes, a brass cockerel and a key to the king\’s palace. It follows a request by Nigeria\’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in January. The museum\’s chair said it was \”moral and appropriate\” to return them. In recent years, there has been increased political pressure on European governments and museums to hand back looted artefacts. These include ivory carvings and metal sculptures known as the Benin Bronzes. The BBC reports. 

Now, Canadian artists to get paid when work is resold  

Under reforms of copyright law, being drafted by Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, Canadian artists would get a “resale right” giving them a royalty during the term of copyright, according to Champagne’s office. Artists complain that they now get nothing if paintings and sculptures increase in value dramatically. CARFAC, which represents Canadian artists, wants artists to get five per cent of the value of their work when it is resold, and for their estate to receive funds according to copyright rules decades after their death. It says at least 90 countries, including the United Kingdom and France, already have resale rights for artists, but Canada is lagging behind, driving many artists to abandon their craft because they cannot make a living from it. There are over 21,000 visual artists in Canada, and according to the 2016 census, their median income is $20,000 a year from all income sources. Global News tells you more. 

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