Earlier this year, we introduced you to an Indian artist named Vijay Singh. For decades, he painted the bright, larger-than-life murals that showcased current attractions in Delhi’s old Bollywood movie theaters. But when digital printing recently put him out of a job, he had to find new patrons for his movie-mural artistry. Now he’s part of an emerging niche market for ex-pats who want to get in on the over-the-top romance and action of Bollywood flicks: custom movie posters.
Turns out the talents of artists like Singh have been snatched up by CB2 – the younger, hipper offshoot of home décor staple Crate and Barrel. “In an effort to keep this art-form alive,” the company offered “limited-edition, signed paintings … on cotton canvas in a wash of colors ranging from henna to river mud.”
Alas, it appears “world map painting: brave new (old) world” has sold out – Bollywood muralists like Singh have clearly gone global.
- Jenny Lawton
What a bizarre choice of image for their talents. It must have been CB2′s choice, rather than the artists’? I mean, what I loved about that interview was imagining the bright colors and people’s images within the show. And now a close to neutral image of the globe??? Hopefully they are getting other commissions, too. And maybe they are just grateful to have a job–what do I know?
[...] even as NPR reports that major corporations are horking Vijay’s Bollywood aesthetic, it’s important to bear in mind that while one Bollywood artist may be experience a [...]