The Evolution of Screen Printing as Fine Art Practice in Gujarat: A Study of Baroda, Ahmedabad, and Surat

Gujarat, which is located in the western part of India, is known for its rich history and textile production provided a strong material and technical foundation for the development of screen printing in the region. Historically, screen printing is mostly used in commercial reproduction, textile printing, and industrial design, gradually evolved into a meaningful fine art medium. This paper explores the historical and institutional development of screen printing, individual art practice and the role of art studios in the major art centres of Gujarat like Baroda, Ahmedabad and Surat. The Baroda School played a vital role in the development screen printing as a fine art practice by encouraging experimentation and conceptual engagement with the medium. Alongside academic developments, art studios in Baroda functioned as important centres of production, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, extending screen printing beyond institutional settings. These studio initiatives further influenced the growth of screen printing practices in Ahmedabad and Surat, where regional conditions and proximity to textile and printing industries shaped localised approaches. Going through archival research, literature review, interviews with artists and practitioners, and documentation of studio practices, this study maps the regional and material conditions that supported the expansion of screen printing as a fine art practice. The research contributes to regional art histories by highlighting the pivotal role of the Baroda School and independent studios in shaping medium-specific practices within Indian contemporary art.