Last updated on October 13th, 2024 at 12:50 pm
The much-anticipated India Art Fair Contemporary (IAFC) is set to make its debut in Mumbai from Nov. 13–16, 2025. This new chapter, expanding on the renowned India Art Fair held in New Delhi, promises to bring cutting-edge contemporary art to the forefront, positioning Mumbai as a pivotal player in the global art scene.
“We are thrilled to bring a fresh contemporary art and design fair to the thriving cultural scene of Mumbai,” said Jaya Asokan, director of both India Art Fair and IAFC. “The appetite for art in India has grown significantly over recent years, and this is the perfect time to launch a bold new fair focused on the contemporary moment.” Asokan emphasized that Mumbai, home to many long-term exhibitors, partners, and visitors, is the ideal city for this new platform.
A Landmark Event for Mumbai’s Cultural Landscape
Mumbai has long been a hub for artistic innovation, and the arrival of IAFC further cements its reputation. “Mumbai has always been the home ground for cultural innovation. The expansion of India Art Fair to Mumbai with a contemporary art focus is perfectly in line with the city’s avant-garde status,” said Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, managing trustee and director of the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum.
The city’s dynamic cultural fabric, supported by initiatives like the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and the annual Mumbai Gallery Weekend, has fueled its rise as a global cultural powerhouse. The IAFC will showcase between 50 and 70 exhibitors, bringing together galleries, design studios, and institutions from South Asia, Africa, South America, and beyond, creating a platform for international collaboration and cross-regional exchanges.
Sandy Angus, chairman of Angus Montgomery Arts, shared his excitement about the fair’s potential: “Mumbai is home to a vibrant and distinct local scene, with a strong appeal for international collectors and visitors. We look forward to staging this timely first edition in 2025.”
A Place to View the Finest Works of Contemporary Art
Despite the fact that it is situated in the same country as the International Art and Film Centre’s New Delhi, the latter contains a more extensive range of historical works, beginning in the 19th century and continuing onwards. For this reason, a variety of activities have been developed to incorporate the most up-to-date and inventive techniques, which in turn question the conventions associated with contemporary art. When it comes to the structure of the fair, it will be comprised of large-scale installations, collaborative booths, and experimental presentations. The objective of the fair is to eliminate the borders that exist between art and design.
In addition to this, the International Art and Fashion Council (IAFC) does its best to facilitate the establishment of connections between domestic and international markets by presenting the artistic and design abilities of South Asian, African, and South American regions. There is a strong connection between the thematic focus and the history of trade in Mumbai, where the polycentric aspect of the fair is vividly highlighted with both local and international interests.
IAFC’s emphasis on contemporary art and design will offer a unique experience. Sangita Jindal, chairperson of the JSW Foundation, praised the fair’s dedication to fresh talent: “I am always looking for fresh young talent and practices, and a platform dedicated to new ideas in art and design is exactly what we need right now.”
The fair’s format will break traditional boundaries, merging art and design across a single space with collaborative presentations and large-scale works. This approach fosters connections between local and international markets and showcases the vibrant creative exchanges that are central to the fair’s ethos.
“India’s art market is going to continue to expand with an increasingly engaged young collecting base,” said Aparajita Jain, executive director of Nature Morte. “India Art Fair Contemporary is coming at the right time to the right city for India’s contemporary art market.”
In India’s rapidly growing art market, cultural accomplishments have been achieved.
The IAFC is a manifestation of the boom that has occurred in India’s contemporary art market, which has increased by 250% over the last decade. The event will also coincide with Art Mumbai, another major art market in the same month. This adds an additional degree of significance to the event. Even though the dates of the two fairs are the same, Asokan is confident that they will coexist harmoniously, and Mumbai will become a true centre for art enthusiasts and collectors.
IAFC’s decision to place such an emphasis on Mumbai is very much appreciated because the city has always been the birthplace of cultural experimentation. In addition to the small-scale individual spaces that are characteristic of traditional galleries, the International Art and Film Centre (IAFC) is going to expand its offerings to include artist outreach programs, pieces that are the size of riding centres, and project collaborations. The idea of combining design and contemporary art is another thing that sets it apart from other fairs. At this fair, attendees will have the opportunity to encounter ideas that are thought-provoking and transcend specific fields of study.
International level focus and coordination
The fair will be distinguished by a significant amount of participation from beyond international borders, particularly with a concentration on showcasing international artists who are not frequently seen in India. Both local and non-local collectors are expected to attend the expo, which will hopefully result in the creation of new trade channels. This, in turn, could have a positive impact on South Asia’s contemporary art markets, as well as Mumbai’s standing as an arts centre within the unlimited field of new innovation.
Considerations for the India Today Art Fair
The first edition of India Art Fair Contemporary is, without a doubt, a significant step forward for the future of Mumbai and for the position of Indian arts on the map of the world of art. The fair’s 50–70 galleries will each have their own space to exhibit progressive works in a format that breaks with existing channels. The collaborative nature of the event, in conjunction with the abundance of cultural activities in Mumbai, gives rise to the expectation that the International Art Fair Centre (IAFC) will be regarded as one of the most prestigious international art events.
As a result of the establishment of the International Art Fair Convention (IAFC), Mumbai is now in a position to join the ranks of other cities, such as New York, London, and Basel, which simultaneously host many significant art fairs in the same chronological sequence, thereby enhancing India’s position in the international contemporary art market.
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