Learning to Unlearn

Lina Vincent Sunish

It is common knowledge that there is something mortally wrong with the way in which majority of our Fine Arts institutions are functioning – those who are within the system, and those without, are battling on without being able to pin-point and positively tackle the problem areas. There has been minimal breaking away from the compartmentalized methodology established during colonial times. In the meantime, hundreds and thousands of student artists pass through the hallowed gates of varied colleges (urban and semi-urban) every year, earning their paper degrees and if diligent, a good amount of technical knowhow in their chosen ‘specialisation’. But are they ready to fit into the professional (regional/national/global) world of art making? Can they call themselves Artists, with the ability to propose and execute work, explain their direction, and believe in themselves?