APPLICATION OF HYBRID FIGURE IN THE WORKS OF QUEEN ALEXANDRA OF VICTORIAN ERA AND THE PAINTINGS FROM INDIAN CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Authors: Manna Pratap , Mukherjee Disha 
Published: December 2023

Throughout history, art has been used to explore and communicate the intricacies of human existence. One way this has been achieved is through the representation of hybrid beings. These figures, which combine attributes from various sources, have been a common theme across cultures. The use of hybrid figures has allowed artists to delve into themes such as identity, transformation, and the relationship between humans and nature. This study aims to analyze the symbolism and meanings behind hybrid creatures in Victorian-era photocollages and modern Indian artwork from vastly different periods in art history.Objectives of the Research StudyTo investigate the reoccurring topic of hybrid creatures in Victorian photocollages and contemporary Indian art.Examining the symbolism and significance of hybrid beings, with a focus on identity, metamorphosis, and human-nature interaction.Examining how hybridization is used by both art genres to portray complicated notions about identity, social institutions, and cultural interchange.Examining how artists use historical inspiration to produce unique works and engage in cross-cultural discussion.Using commonalities in various art forms to demonstrate the universal nature of artistic expression, transcending time, location, and culture.Significance of the Research StudyThis study has significance because it investigates the representation of hybrid beings in Victorian-era photocollages and modern Indian artwork, providing insights into the symbolism and meanings associated with hybrid creatures, specifically in the context of identity, transformation, and the human-nature relationship. This study highlights the continuing capacity of art to transcend chronological and geographical barriers by examining how both Victorian photocollages and contemporary Indian art use hybridity to express complicated notions about identity, social institutions, and cultural exchange. It also highlights the artists' ability to draw inspiration from the past, resulting in innovative works that engage in cross-cultural dialogue, ultimately demonstrating the universal nature of artistic expression and its profound impact on understanding the complexities of human existence across diverse cultural and historical contexts.Review of LiteratureTo begin, researchers like Linda Nochlin and Griselda Pollock have investigated the topic of hybridity in art, emphasising its importance in subverting conventional concepts of representation. In her important essay "The Imaginary Orient," Nochlin discusses how Victorian-era art frequently included hybrid characters to address concerns of cultural identity and colonialism. This point of view lays a solid foundation for understanding the circumstances in which Victorian-era photocollages evolved as a medium for creative expression.Scholars like Geeta Kapur and Partha Mitter have explored the evolution of Indian art in the post-colonial era, highlighting the use of hybridity as a tool for artists to negotiate cultural identity. Homi Bhabha's "The Location of Culture" provides a theoretical framework for understanding hybridity in Victorian-era and contemporary Indian art. James Elkins' "Is Art History Global?" and "Globalizing Art History" provide a contemporary lens for understanding cross-cultural dialogues in art.