Sustainable Art Practices in Contemporary Indian Art

“When I first started talking about ecological concepts in the 1960s, they were laughing at me.” -Agnes Denes

Art and ecology are no longer separate conversations. As landfills swell, resources shrink, and climate change reshapes everyday life in India, artists are rethinking not just what they make, but how.

Sustainable art is not a niche trend — it’s a pragmatic and ethical shift. Artists are reducing their footprint through low-impact materials, reusing and upcycling waste, reviving craft-based techniques like natural dyeing, and supporting local economies. Collectors, curators, and cultural institutions are also beginning to recognise that art made with ecological awareness carries both cultural and civic relevance.

From a 15-foot turtle built from discarded plastic to handloom textiles dyed with plants, sustainable art in India is expanding the very definition of contemporary practice.

This article explores what “sustainable art” really means, profiles key makers and projects, and outlines strategies for artists, curators, and collectors who want to make eco-friendly practices real at scale.

What is sustainable art?

Sustainable art refers to artistic practices, methods, and creations that minimise negative impact on the environment, promote social responsibility, and encourage long-term cultural and ecological well-being.

At its core, sustainable art seeks to minimise harm and maximise responsibility across the life of an artwork — from sourcing materials to its eventual afterlife.

It often includes:

• Material choices: natural dyes, biodegradable substrates, reclaimed wood, or eco-certified papers.
  
  
• Waste practices: upcycling plastics, textiles, or electronics into new works.
  
  
• Local economies: fair partnerships with craft communities, sustaining low-impact traditional methods.
  
  
• Exhibition ecology: modular installations, carbon-light logistics, and alternatives to shipping-heavy models.
  
  

In India, this idea is not imported — it builds on centuries-old traditions like Kalamkari, Madhubani painting, and vegetable dye block-printing. The difference today is scale: artists and institutions are adapting these practices to contemporary forms and global audiences. The goal is not “purity,” but a responsible balance between creativity and ecology.

What eco-conscious art practice should look like?

For artists considering a shift, here are some practical strategies:

• Natural pigments & dyes — vegetable dyes, indigo vats, and even food waste can replace chemical-based pigments.
  
  
• Reclaimed substrates — wood, textiles, and scrap metals reduce environmental costs while adding narrative depth.
  
  
• Low-toxicity materials — water-based adhesives, unbleached papers, and solvent-free varnishes.
  
  
• Modular structures — artworks and exhibitions designed to be repaired, reused, or reassembled.
  
  
• Community partnerships — working with craft clusters to create income cycles while maintaining heritage skills.
  
  

Scaling eco-conscious and sustainable art practice

• Document provenance: Collectors value knowing where materials came from — it adds both ethical and narrative value.
  
  
• Measure waste: Track studio waste for a month to see where small shifts make a significant difference.
  
  
• Design for circularity: Include repair info or reuse options when selling artworks.
  
  
• Build local supply chains: Reduce carbon footprint while supporting craft clusters.
  
  
• Advocate collectively: Push institutions, fairs, and galleries to adopt low-carbon exhibition practices.

Artists pioneering eco-conscious and sustainable art practices in India

Sustainability looks different in every studio. Here are some artists and initiatives shaping the conversation in India today:

1. Manveer Singh (Plasticvalla) — plastic into protest

Delhi-based Manveer Singh (Manveer Singh), known as Plasticvalla, collects household plastic and transforms it into massive sculptures, like a 15-foot Olive Ridley turtle made from discarded plastic. Installed on beaches and public spaces, these works divert waste while sparking civic awareness about single-use plastic.

2. Haribaabu Naatesan — art from e-waste 

From motherboards to cables, the artist turns electronic waste into figurative sculpture. Haribaabu Naatesan’s practices  (Haribaabu Naatesan) critique consumerism while physically diverting toxic materials from landfills.

3. Gopal Namjoshi — scrap metal wildlife

Gopal Namjoshi (Gopal Namjoshi) uses scrap iron and discarded metal to create wildlife-inspired sculptures, giving industrial debris new meaning. His work links conservation themes with the beauty of reimagined waste.

4. Natural dye & handloom practitioners — craft as climate strategy

Artists and designers are reviving natural dyeing and handloom weaving, not just as heritage but as low-carbon, biodegradable alternatives to industrial processes. This revival also sustains craft livelihoods.
 

5. Bijoy Jain / Studio Mumbai — material minimalism

Architect-artist Bijoy Jain (Bijoy Jain)works with raw materials, local labour, and low-energy building methods. His practice shows that sustainability can be architectural, ecological, and aesthetic all at once.

Key challenges artists encounter when considering sustainability

Transitioning isn’t simple. Natural dyes require more water; preparing e-waste takes labour; and markets still often prefer novelty over durability. There is also the risk of greenwashing — claims without evidence. Transparency is key: documenting materials and trade-offs ensures credibility with audiences and buyers.

 “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” -Indigenous Proverb

So what can artists do to bring sustainability to their art practice?

• Audit studio waste for a month.
  
  
• Swap one solvent-based product for a water-based one.
  
  
• Create one piece from reclaimed materials.
  
  
• Partner with a craftsperson (handloom, natural dyes).
  
  
• Share a short “materials note” with each artwork.
  
  

Path ahead

Sustainability in Indian art is not just about materials — it’s about ethics, ecology, and community. Artists are rediscovering older, low-impact craft traditions while inventing new material languages. Collectors and institutions, meanwhile, are being invited to reward transparency, durability, and ecological care.

Every small change matters. Every reclaimed surface or natural pigment keeps the conversation alive. And when art becomes sustainable, it does more than reduce harm — it creates new forms of meaning and connection.