India Art Fair 2026 Opens with 135 Exhibitors and Interactive Art in Delhi
The 17th edition of the India Art Fair has officially opened at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds in Okhla, Delhi, bringing together a diverse array of 135 exhibitors. This year's fair places a strong emphasis on immersive and participatory art, inviting visitors to engage with modern masters, contemporary artists, and experimental installations.
Immersive and Interactive Installations
At the heart of the fair are projects that encourage visitor participation and reflection. An open kitchen installation transforms the act of cooking into a conceptual performance through sound and movement, fostering collective imagination. Nearby, woven charpai mats create a space for visitors to sit, linger, and converse, while a 20-foot urban forest featuring over 200 native plants highlights ecological and sustainability issues.
Artist Kulpreet Singh's "Extinction Archive" catalogues more than 900 endangered plant and animal species, underscoring the urgency of the environmental crisis. Jaya Asokan, director of the India Art Fair, noted, "International attention on South Asian art has reached an inflection point, and India Art Fair meets that moment."
Modern Masters and Contemporary Highlights
The fair showcases works by some of India's most recognized modern and contemporary artists. Projjal Dutta of Aicon Contemporary, a 16-year participant, observed a shift in the art market: "Initially, art would go from here to the United States, and we would only send funds back to India, but now India has also emerged as a big market." His booth features pieces by contemporary artists like GR Iranna, Arunkumar HG, and Jagannath Panda, alongside MF Husain's painting Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, a tribute to filmmaker Satyajit Ray.
Other modernist highlights include works by Somnath Hore at Crayon Art Gallery, MV Dhurandhar and PT Reddy at DAG, and Madras moderns Velu Viswanadhan, P Perumal, and Achuthan Kudallur at Ashvita's. Dhoomimal Gallery displays not only pieces by Jamini Roy, J Swaminathan, Krishen Khanna, and FN Souza but also 10th-12th century stone artefacts.
Emerging Talent and Experimental Practices
Younger artists are making a significant impact with their experimental approaches. At Latitude 28, Juhikadevi Bhanjdeo's installation River uses safety pins on velvet to reflect on life's constant adjustments. At 079 Stories, Vipul Prajapati presents drawings on matchboxes alongside global collectables in enclosed cases. Jaipur-based Prashant Pandey weaves discarded cigarette butts into a delicate installation at Gallery Maskara.
Twin artists Rohan and Roshan Anvekar, making their debut at the fair with Gallerie Nvya, explore societal pressures through their work. "We have been visiting IAF for years, and now we are looking forward to receiving feedback on our work here," they said.
Participatory Art and Community Stories
Interactive elements are prominent throughout the fair. Shailesh BR's solo booth features the machine You Will Become A Star, where a pixelated panel erupts with yellow lights in response to movement. Sonal Ambani's The Last Stamp, presented by DMINTI New York, reflects on changing communication by inviting visitors to write postcards at a postbox made from stainless-steel timepieces.
From the Sittilingi Valley in Tamil Nadu, Lambadi embroidery artists present "Threads of Home" at the Porgai Artisans Association booth. Artist Sindhu Kamaraj explained, "Inspired by our immediate environment, the works tell the story of the community."
The India Art Fair runs until February 8 at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds in Okhla, Delhi, with the nearest metro station being Govindpuri. Tickets are available online, offering art enthusiasts a chance to experience this vibrant celebration of South Asian art.
