The Contenders for the Crown
Instituted in 2022, the Oxford Bookstore Art Book Prize has quickly become a significant event for publishers and artists, celebrating the art book not just as a catalogue but as a crucial art form in itself. This year’s shortlist of five books is a testament
to the diversity of the field, spanning academic tributes, historical deep-dives, and comprehensive surveys of Indian art. The prize, a collaboration between Oxford Bookstores and the Visual Arts Gallery, acknowledges the entire journey of the book, from concept to final production, with the winner receiving a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. The nominated titles show the breadth of what Indian art publishing is capable of today.
Honouring the Past, Defining the Future
A notable trend in this year's selection is a strong engagement with history. 'From the Depth of the Mould, Meera Mukherjee (1923-1998), A Centenary Tribute', edited by Tapati Guha-Thakurta, is a prime example. This scholarly volume from Jadavpur University Press and Galerie 88 revisits the legacy of a pioneering artist. Similarly, 'Histories in the Making: Photographing Indian Monuments 1855-1920', edited by Sudeshna Guha and published by DAG, delves into the archives to explore colonial-era photography. These books are not just collections of images; they are acts of preservation and re-evaluation, using the book format to bring historical context and critical analysis to important artistic legacies.
The Ambitious Overview
At the other end of the spectrum is the sheer ambition of 'The Big Book of Indian Art: An Illustrated History of Indian Art from Its Origins to the Present Day'. Authored by Bina Sarkar Ellias and published by Aleph Book Company, this title aims for a comprehensive sweep, a challenging feat in a field as vast and varied as Indian art. Shortlisting such a book suggests the jury's appreciation for projects that attempt to synthesize a grand narrative and make it accessible to a broader audience. It signals a demand for foundational texts that can serve as both an introduction for newcomers and a reference for the well-informed.
Folk Traditions and New Illustrations
The list also makes space for the vibrant world of folk art and contemporary illustration. 'Kalakari: A Journey Through Indian Folk Art' by Simran Tapadia from Pan Macmillan India highlights the enduring relevance of traditional art forms. Meanwhile, 'Zoraver and the Lost Gods' by Abeer Kapoor, with illustrations by Ujan Dutta, demonstrates the creative synergy possible in illustrated books. Published by Bloomsbury India, its inclusion points to a growing recognition of illustration not just as a supplement to text, but as a primary mode of storytelling in its own right, blurring the lines between children's literature, graphic novels, and art books.
What the Shortlist Signifies
Reading this shortlist carefully, we see a publishing ecosystem that is looking both backward and forward. There is a deep respect for historical scholarship and archival work, which forms the bedrock of art history. At the same time, there's an embrace of broad, accessible histories and newer forms of visual narrative. The publishers represented—from university presses and major publishing houses to gallery-led initiatives like DAG—show the varied engines driving the production of these beautiful, and often expensive, objects. The list suggests that the Indian art book is a dynamic space for critical inquiry, ambitious documentation, and creative expression.
