Lodhi Art Festival 2026: A Month-Long Celebration of Public Art and Community
The vibrant streets of New Delhi are set to come alive as the Lodhi Art Festival kicks off on February 1, 2026, marking a significant milestone: the 10th anniversary of India's pioneering public art district. Conceived and nurtured by the nonprofit St+art India Foundation back in 2015-16, the Lodhi Art District (LAD) has evolved from a modest initiative with just three murals into a dynamic cultural hub boasting over 60 artworks today.
A Living Canvas: Innovative Installations and Performances
This year's festival, curated around the inspiring theme "Dilate All Art Spaces," promises to transform the Lodhi Colony area between Khanna Market and Meherchand Market into an immersive artistic experience. Visitors can look forward to:
- Ten artistically transformed cycle rickshaws that will roam the tree-lined lanes, serving as mobile galleries that spread color and narratives throughout the neighborhood.
- An enchanting inflatable installation by French artist Nicolas Barrome Forgues, depicting a surreal garden in full bloom.
- A series of interactive walkthroughs and site-responsive performances designed to activate public spaces and engage the community directly.
Arjun Bahl, co-founder of St+art India, emphasized the festival's goal: "We wanted to bring some freshness with newer works and also have talks, performances, and workshops to interact directly with the public." This approach underscores the foundation's commitment to making art accessible and participatory.
New Murals: A Global Collaboration with Local Roots
The festival will witness the creation of six new murals, adding fresh layers to the district's visual tapestry. These works represent a blend of international and Indian artistic perspectives:
- Elian Chali from Argentina will craft an anamorphic mural that explores themes of access, gender, and disability by blurring the lines between exterior and interior spaces.
- Spanish artist Suso33 will collaborate with Indian artists Tarini Sethi and Ishaan Bharat, drawing on the rich visual histories of both countries.
- German artist JuMu will weave together Latin American, Peruvian, and Indian references into an immersive narrative where myth meets everyday life.
- Polish artist Pener will contribute a large-scale abstract mural, adding to the district's diverse aesthetic.
- In a heartwarming collaboration, specially-abled artist Ram Sangchoju, aged 13, will travel from Arunachal Pradesh to work with Svabhu Kohli on a mural rooted in ecology and alternative perspectives, inspired by Sangchoju's deep connection with forests and the Pakke Tiger Reserve.
Honoring Legacy and Fostering Community Engagement
The festival also pays tribute to Hanif Kureshi, co-founder of St+art India Foundation, who passed away in September 2024. British artist Raissa Pardini will bring to life a typographic mural based on a design conceived with Kureshi, merging contemporary graphic design with traditional hand-painted techniques to reflect on water conservation through the visual language of stepwells and Delhi's vernacular signage.
Beyond the art itself, the festival aims to strengthen community ties. Bahl highlighted the district's role in urban livability: "The idea of an art district was also to think about how our cities can become more walkable." By collaborating with local rickshaw drivers, the festival not only enhances visitor experiences but also empowers residents to share informed narratives, ensuring that public engagement continues well beyond the festival's closing on February 28.
From its humble beginnings to becoming a model for art districts across India, the Lodhi Art District stands as a testament to the transformative power of public art. As the festival unfolds, it invites everyone to explore, interact, and celebrate a decade of creativity that has redefined urban spaces in the heart of Delhi.
