The fair’s 16th edition saw the post-pandemic comeback of global blue-chips David Zwirner and Lisson Gallery to New Delhi, with an elevated quality of booths across the board.
India Art Fair, New Delhi (6–9 February 2025). Courtesy India Art Fair.
The 16th edition of India’s biggest modern and contemporary art fair took place from 6 to 9 February, with some 120 galleries at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds in New Delhi. This year saw the post-pandemic return of global blue-chips like David Zwirner and Lisson Gallery to the capital, diversifying the fair’s offerings with notable international artists.
David Zwirner, India Art Fair, New Delhi (6–9 February 2025). Courtesy India Art Fair.
David Zwirner, who has participated three times previously in India Art Fair, reported strong first-day sales, placing works by Huma Bhabha, Sosa Joseph, Oscar Murillo, and Portia Zvavahera with collectors and an institution from the region.
‘We’ve seen the growing strength of the market in India,’ director James Green told Ocula, noting the visibility of this growth from global art capitals like London and New York.
With improved crowd control, visitors were quick to notice the elevated quality of booths this year, with a strong presence of diasporic artists across established and emerging galleries from India and around the world.
Nature Morte, India Art Fair, New Delhi (6–9 February 2025). Courtesy India Art Fair.
Curator Jasmine Wahi, who was a panellist on a talk about diasporic artists at the fair, emphasised the importance of cross-cultural dialogue, stating: ‘Inter-geographical and cross-cultural conversations are essential to thinking about histories, present, and futures with multicentric understandings.’
London-based gallery Indigo+Madder presented new names Anjali Kasturi and Vasudha Kapadia, with the booth priced up to 10,000 USD.
Chemould CoLab, India Art Fair, New Delhi (6–9 February 2025). Courtesy India Art Fair.
Young Mumbai space Chemould CoLab—an extension of Chemould Prescott Road—attracted with their bright pink walls. Among their artist highlights were Gurjeet Singh, Aiza Ahmed, and Jayeeta Chatterjee, with the booth priced up to 5,700 USD.
Anish Kapoor, India Art Fair, New Delhi (6–9 February 2025). Courtesy India Art Fair.
Lisson Gallery’s booth was priced from 20,000 to over 1 million USD, with works by Anish Kapoor, Haroon Mirza, and Dana Awartani, among other artists. Awartani is also represented by Chemould, who showcased Awartani alongside Atul Dodiya, Mithu Sen, and Mohit Shelare.
A well-balanced blend of craftsmanship and contemporary art was seen in a standout work at the fair’s entrance by Deborah Fischer, whose piece The Whisperers (2024) was created in collaboration with master charpai (cot) weaver Dinesh Solanki from Rajasthan.
It’s clear India Art Fair continues to unite local and international art. Fair director Jaya Asokan said: ‘The distinctions between “Indian” and “international” artists are truly breaking down.’ —[O]
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