Standard Chartered and Times of India have unveiled the fifth edition of The Art of India 2026 , curated by Dr.Alka Pande, at the Visual Art Gallery, India Habitat Centre. Now running through January 18, the nine-day Delhi showcase celebrates India’s pluralistic artistic spirit through nearly 300 artworks spanning modern masters, folk and tribal traditions, and contemporary new media.
Theme and Curatorial Vision
Under the theme “Adventures in the Magical Landscapes,” the exhibition, curated by renowned art historian Dr. Alka Pande, reimagines the concept of landscape beyond purely natural scenes. It traces Indian art across forests, temple towns, city streets, and lived experiences shaped by memory, emotion, and ecology. The curatorial approach integrates diverse artistic traditions, from classical fine arts to folk and tribal practices, organized by materiality rather than academic training, reflecting India’s pluralistic creative expressions. Dr. Pande defines landscape as both physical and conceptual, observing that it “can be natural, such as mountains, forests, and deserts or… shaped and influenced by human activity, like urban or agricultural landscapes,” and that it serves as a visual, cultural, ecological, philosophical, and literary construct.
The exhibition draws from eight artwork categories: Collection of Masters, Emotional & Inner Landscapes, Natural & Ecological Scapes, Spiritual & Devotional Landscapes, Cultivated & Agrarian Landscapes, Urban, Architectural & Industrial Landscapes, Liminal & Elemental Scapes, and The First Buy.
Featured Artists and Artworks
The exhibition showcases works by modern masters including SH Raza, Jamini Roy, and KG Subramanyan, alongside contemporary installations, sculpture, photography, and new media pieces created by folk, tribal, and traditional artists. This diverse representation underscores the exhibition’s commitment to presenting India’s artistic legacy as a continuum rather than a hierarchy.
Exhibition Schedule and Expansion
Following its Delhi edition (January 10–18), the exhibition will travel to Jaipur (February 14–22) and Mumbai (March 21–29, 2026), reinforcing its ambition to bring art beyond conventional white-cube galleries into lived urban spaces.
Aditya Mandloi, Head of Wealth and Retail Banking, India & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, stated: “As the Indian art market evolves toward the billion-dollar mark, it remains, at its heart, a testament to our enduring heritage. Supporting The Art of India 2026 reflects Standard Chartered’s role as a steward of value—not just in wealth, but in culture.”
The exhibition continues to serve as a platform bridging India’s rich artistic legacy with contemporary narratives, offering clients and art enthusiasts exclusive access to a culturally immersive experience that transcends conventional gallery settings.
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
