Published in 2019 by Tulika Books and authored by British artist-writer Ruth Rosengarten, Vivan Sundaram Is Not a Photographer examines the use of photography in the works of artist Vivan Sundaram as a “photographic” practice instead of a medium. The book is divided into four sections based on his various works, including Re-Take Of Amrita (2001–05), Great Indian Bazaar (1997), Trash (2008), Black Gold (2012) and Terraoptics (2016).

Rosengarten marks that it was in the 1990s that Sundaram moved away from painting, and began working with (mostly archival) photographs and experimenting with installation. Through techniques such as assemblage, bricolage and repurposing, Rosengarten analyses Sundaram’s photographic works as non-traditional and curatorial – particularly his use of old photographs from family albums, or discarded images from other photographers, in creating new art.

Retake of Amrita; Vivan Sundaram, Chennai, India; 2001; Chennai Photo Biennale, Tamil Nadu, and Google Arts & Culture
Retake of Amrita (installation view); Vivan Sundaram, Chennai, India; 2001; Chennai Photo Biennale, Tamil Nadu, and Google Arts & Culture
Retake of Amrita (installation view); Vivan Sundaram, Chennai, India; 2001; Chennai Photo Biennale, Tamil Nadu, and Google Arts & Culture
Black Gold; Vivan Sundaram, Kochi, Kerala, India; 2012–13; 2000 year old terracotta sherds; 518.16 x 1066.8 x 30.48 cm; Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Fort Kochi, and Google Arts & Culture

The book has been designed by curator and designer Anusha Yadav.