Mumbai got its first in 2023, when Art Mumbai’s first edition was held, almost 13 years after Delhi’s India Art Fair. MUMBAI: Most major cities in the world have an art fair, be it Hong Kong, New York or Istanbul. Yet, the commercial capital’s annual event has grown remarkably over the last four years.
In its fourth edition, which will be held between November 12 and 15, at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, 94 art galleries and foundations from 27 countries across India and abroad will show and sell their art, the founders of Mumbai’s fair said at a press meet on Monday. This year will also see a strong international presence with 21 galleries from London, Paris, Los Angeles, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and others. Designers Abu Jani and Sandip Khosla will celebrate 40 years of their fashion house with a grand fashion show.
Fifty four galleries had participated in its first edition. These include Perrotin, Richard Saltoun, Night Gallery, Rizq Art Gallery and Niru Ratnam. It has quickly become a fair of prominence in the world. Overseas gallerists come to the city to network with stakeholders in the art industry and collectors to sell works of artists they represent. “Mumbai collectors are quieter. Another feature of the fair is the quintessential Mumbai glam. Film producer Karan Johar will host a Bollywood panel, details of which have been kept under the wraps. Other highlights will include performances by bands, DJ nights, a show by a mentalist etc. An even titled ‘A Poet and a Painter’ will see lyricist Javed Akhtar and Delhi-based self-taught artist Baaraan Ijlal speak about their collaboration, exploring how poetry and painting translate memory, belonging and contemporary urban life across two creative forms. The session will be curated by cultural theorist, poet and curator Ranjit Hoskote. The panel titled ‘Women to Watch’ will feature physician-turned-artist Indu Antony, curator and educator Vidya Shivdas, Solanki, and Minal Vazirani discussing Antony’s multidisciplinary practice and the themes explored through her work, presented in the context of the National Museum of Women in the Arts’ ‘Women to Watch’ initiative.
“It’s gratifying to see a significant international presence,” said Dinesh Vazirani, co-founder of Art Mumbai. They look more inwards into their houses while looking for art and come ready to buy,” said Minal Vazirani, the co-founder of Art Mumbai. “There is a lot more to experience at Art Mumbai than just art,” said co-founder Nakul Chawla.
