Mumbai, a city buzzing with art enthusiasts, has long lacked a major art fair to satiate its appetite. While events like the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival and Mumbai Gallery Weekend exist, they haven’t reached the scale or reputation of Delhi’s India Art Fair, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, or Hyderabad’s Indian Photo Festival. But that’s changing. Last year saw the launch of Art Mumbai, a significant step towards filling the void, bringing together nearly 2,000 artworks from 300 artists and 53 galleries worldwide. And now, Mumbai is set to take center stage once more with the inaugural India Art Fair Contemporary, scheduled for November 13-16, 2025.
India Art Fair Contemporary, an offshoot of the renowned Delhi event, will shine a spotlight on the wealth of talent in contemporary art and design within India. The fair will feature a curated selection of 50 to 70 exhibitors, showcasing the work of Indian, South Asian, and international galleries, design studios, and institutions. This focus on contemporary art is strategic, drawing on Mumbai’s unique position as a cultural, entertainment, and financial hub, perfectly aligning with the global contemporary art landscape.
Jaya Asokan, director of India Art Fair, highlights this synergy, stating, “As India’s cultural and financial hub, Mumbai is closely aligned with the global contemporary art landscape, making it the perfect setting for this new fair, especially considering the city’s existing ties to both creative communities and international art markets.” Visitors can anticipate a rich, immersive experience, with Asokan describing the fair as a “hub of artistic innovation and cultural exchange.” Expect to see cutting-edge contemporary art, large-scale installations, multimedia works, and a dynamic lineup of public programs, including panel discussions, interactive sessions with artists, and performance art. The fair aims to be accessible to a diverse audience.
The timing for this new fair couldn’t be more opportune, as the Indian art scene witnesses a surge in interest in contemporary art, particularly among young buyers. While the Delhi edition of India Art Fair will continue to celebrate the full spectrum of art, from historical masters to contemporary innovators, India Art Fair Contemporary will delve deeper into new voices, trends, and mediums. Asokan underscores this pivotal moment, stating, “It is an exciting time for the Indian art scene. The market is in a strong position and we welcome its continued expansion.”
With Mumbai gaining momentum as a focal point on India’s art calendar, the city’s art scene is bound to see a surge in fairs and festivals, potentially leading to an oversaturation of events. The inaugural India Art Fair Contemporary, scheduled to take place at Jio World Garden, will coincidentally clash with the third edition of Art Mumbai, held at Mahalaxmi Racecourse—both events occurring on the same dates. This creates an intriguing situation: a potential opportunity or an overdose of visual stimuli. It remains to be seen if the influx of events will attract a larger audience or overwhelm visitors. Adding to the challenge is the 14-kilometer distance between the two venues, creating potential traffic concerns.
Despite the potential challenges, Asokan remains optimistic about the fair’s success. “Whether they are set against the sunny seascape, housed in heritage buildings or squeezed into the bylanes of suburbs,” she says, “Mumbai’s galleries and art institutions reflect the indefatigable energy of its residents.” The city’s art scene is undoubtedly dynamic and resilient, and India Art Fair Contemporary is poised to contribute to its continued growth and evolution.
This post will be updated.
