Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Art Business

Abstract

This dissertation examines censorship of art in an Indian context, focusing on artistic production, exhibition practices, and the commercial viability of dissenting art. Drawing on case studies from institutional controversies, legal judgments, and interviews with practitioners, the study analyses how censorship operates not only through law but also through institutional gatekeeping and market mechanisms. The research finds that while Indian courts, particularly at the higher levels, have shown slow progress towards becoming liberal, the persistence of vague obscenity provisions and inconsistent jurisprudence sustains a climate of legal ambiguity. Extralegal pressures often shape curatorial decisions, leading art organisations to retreat or self-censor. This environment creates long-term consequences for artists: for emerging practitioners, censorship can suppress visibility and career growth; for others, it may paradoxically increase interest. Some artists respond by altering their practice or find new mediums to align with acceptable thresholds, while others relocate internationally, finding more receptive audiences abroad. Institutional caution in India means that visibility is tightly controlled, with few independent exhibition spaces operating with negligible government support. By contrast, Western institutions negotiate censorship through legal protections and institutional resilience. The study concludes that censorship in India does not silence art but reconfigures its production and circulation, underscoring the urgent need for institutional reform and clearer legal standards.

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