Mumbai is hosting the 13th edition of the India Art Festival, a major event in the art world, at the Nehru Centre in Worli which began from January 23 and will last till to 26 January 2025. This year’s festival promises to be a treat for art lovers, featuring 40 art galleries, 550 artists, and over 5,500 artworks across diverse mediums, styles, and subjects.
The India Art Festival is not just about visual art; it also includes exciting fusion shows, live music, mesmerising live painting sessions, and captivating film screenings. One of the highlights of this year’s event is the screening of “The Eternal Canvas – 12,000 Years Journey through Indian Art,” a film that takes viewers on an extraordinary journey through India’s artistic history, from prehistoric times to modern-day expressions.
A Platform for emerging artists
Since its inception in 2011, the India Art Festival has become a premier contemporary art fair in India, providing a unique platform for emerging and mid-career artists, mid-level art galleries, and seasoned masters. Rajendra Patil, the founder-director of the India Art Festival, explains, “The primary inspiration behind initiating the India Art Festival back in 2011 was to create a platform that showcases and promotes contemporary art in India, with a particular focus on young emerging artists and mid-level art galleries, as it is often challenging for them to access such platforms or enter the art fair circuit due to the high costs involved.”
This year’s edition in Mumbai marks a significant milestone for the festival, as it is also the 30th edition hosted across major cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
Diversity in art
The festival does not restrict itself to preconceived ideas about art. Visitors can expect to see an incredible variety of styles, from abstract art, landscapes, and figurative works to spiritual themes, sculptures, and folk art forms. The exhibition features both contemporary masters and raw, emerging talent, offering something for everyone.
Participating galleries and artists from across the nation and more
The Nehru Centre’s expansive ground-floor exhibition hall will host major and mid-level galleries from cities like Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Mumbai-based galleries such as Beyond the Canvas, Rhythm Art, Studio3 Art Gallery, and Dev Mehta Art Gallery will be joined by Delhi-NCR galleries like Gallery Pioneer, Uchaan, Eminent Art Gallery, and Divine Art.
Prominent regional galleries like Udaipur’s Pichwaiwala, Bengaluru’s Charvi Art Gallery, and Kolkata’s Smita Art and Rabi Art Gallery will also bring their unique styles to the event. Notably, Singapore’s Gnani Arts returns to the festival with a talented lineup after its successful appearance in a previous edition.
Studio3 Art Gallery will showcase modern-day established artists, while Beyond the Canvas will present one of the most well-curated projects at the event, featuring artists such as Bandana Kumari, Anjum Motiwala, Kamar Alam, Jagannath Paul, and Ferox Ka.
Over the years, the India Art Festival has built a reputation as a coveted platform for artists, galleries, and art enthusiasts. The event celebrates artistic diversity with works ranging from traditional regional art forms to modern and experimental creations. This edition in Mumbai carries forward the legacy of showcasing India’s rich artistic heritage alongside contemporary and futuristic visions.
Art lovers are invited to explore this grand celebration of creativity, which promises an immersive and inspiring experience for all.
Venue: Nehru Centre,Worli
Dates: January 23 to January 26
