New Delhi: The price curve of Indian art is shooting north in the global market because of "increased consciousness" about it, say experts.

This has been brought about by greater visibility of art and artists from the country and easy access to relevant information about Indian art from the internet, they say.

"Indian art is becoming a part of international consciousness, why is why we have seen a spectacular growth in this field," Yamini Mehta, director of modern and contemporary Indian art at the London-based Christie's, told IANS on e-mail.

"Boundaries are becoming more fluid. We are seeing more Indian artists being represented in international museum exhibitions and art fairs. The exposure is helping create newer collectors who actively seek out works by the best of Indian artists to add to their collections," Mehta said.

On June 11, a painting by F.N. Souza, an Indian artist who spent the better part of his life in New York, sold for $2.5 million, while an untitled painting by Tyeb Mehta (Figure in a Rickshaw) fetched 982,050 pounds setting new price records at the Christie's auction in London.

Five of contemporary artist Subodh Gupta's works were also sold in the same auction at record prices. Gupta's "Bucket", an abstract canvas with the symbolic motif of his trademark bucket, was sold for 121,250 pounds while his "Magic Wands" and "Cotton Wicks" were sold for 169,250 pounds and 15,000 pounds respectively.