The India Art Fair 2026, the largest art fair in South Asia, is set to open with an extraordinary burst of colour, creativity, and cutting-edge ideas—bringing together some of the most compelling voices in contemporary South Asian art. Galleries and artists pushing limits through immersive installations, experimental materials, digital breakthroughs, and potent socio-cultural tales, this year’s fair promises to be among the most ambitious ever.
Over time, the India Art Fair has become more than just an event; it is a cultural space. The fair expands its creative horizons, reflecting the region’s artistic energy. India Art Fair, from bold reinterpretations of tradition to futuristic explorations, offers a spectrum of creative expressions that reflect the evolving cultural landscape.
We suggest two unmissable projects that capture the spirit, scale, and imagination of India Art Fair 2026—each a testament to the region’s vibrant creative momentum.
Focus on Many
Each of the captivating single artists displayed in this year’s ‘Focus’ brings various tongues of contemporary art in South Asia and beyond. Shailesh B.R., whose kinetic and conceptual sculptures reflect labour, movement, and the absurdity; Jayasri Burman, renowned for vivid reinterpretations of mythological and feminine iconographies; Bharti Kher, whose potent sculptural practice bridges myth, body, and materiality; and Ravinder Reddy, renowned for monumental sculptures that combine classical forms with pop-infused colour and scale.
Locate Khadim Ali, whose elaborate tapestries reinterpret mythic narratives to comment on displacement and the modern politics of belonging; Thandiwe Muriu, a photographer based in Nairobi whose striking portraits reclaim African identity through pattern, fabric, and form; and Girjesh Kumar Singh, who uses found materials like broken bricks, clay, and cement to evoke the tension between fragility and permanence.
When taken as a whole, these concentrated displays demonstrate the depth and range of artistic expression that define South Asia’s position in the current global conversation about contemporary art.
Outdoor Art Projects
Large-scale art is displayed in the public area of the India Art Fair 2026 edition thanks to a lineup of outdoor installations and cross-institutional partnerships. The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) has commissioned and displayed a series of new site-specific works by artist Kulpreet Singh, among the most eagerly awaited highlights. The fragmented ecology, India’s agricultural history that increased crop yields but forever damaged soil health, water systems, and biodiversity, is explored in detail in Singh’s installations. He confronts the precarious situation of animal, fungal, and plant species currently at risk of extinction in these new works, broadening his perspective beyond the hardships faced by rural communities.
This ambitious partnership with KNMA demonstrates the importance of fostering meaningful discussions on climate change, biodiversity, and the future of sustainable living.
What If Women Ruled the World?, a stunning project by renowned artist Judy Chicago, is showcased at the fair through the Participatory Quilt, which invites attendees to share their ideas, aspirations, and responses to questions about gender, power, and the future. The patchwork develops into an expanding tapestry of voices, encouraging discussion about what a more equal and inclusive future may entail.
Serendipity Arts unveils the Charpai Project, initially conceptualised by designer Ayush Kasliwal and now reproduced in an innovative new way, sparking curiosity. This version combines modern technology with traditional craftsmanship by including a digital overlay made by AI artist Goji. The outcome is a dynamic interaction between contemporary digital aesthetics and the classic Indian charpai, demonstrating the unexpected ways in which tradition and cutting-edge inventiveness may coexist.
Large-scale sculptural installations by Paresh Maity and Deepak Kumar, renowned for their ambitious public artworks and unique visual vocabulary, are among the other unique projects. Supported by Art Alive Gallery, Paresh Maity’s installation creates a world with his trademark combination of vivid forms and theatrical scope.
Supported by Exhibit 320, Deepak Kumar’s project explores modern materiality and conceptual depth, offering spectators a visually arresting, thought-provoking sculptural experience.
These enormous works contribute to the fair’s extensive outdoor and immersive art program, encouraging visitors to engage with art beyond the conventional gallery booth.
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