ART MUMBAI 2024: SHOWCASING SOUTH ASIAN ART AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Mumbai is known as the cultural capital of the country and Art Mumbai 2024 — hosted its second edition this year — is the dawn of a significant change in the global art map. This particular fair, which took place from November 14–17 at the famous premises of Mahalaxmi Racecourse, gathered modern and contemporary art lovers with special attention to South Asia and an increasing number of global artists. Serving as a platform to showcase over 70 galleries and foundations, the event helped the public better understand the art and culture of India while also fostering growth in the market for talented artists.

The second edition of Art Mumbai took place from November 14–17 at Mahalaxmi Racecourse.

Photo credits: Art Mumbai

The Integration of Aesthetics into Reality: Embracing a Vision of Diversity

 Art Mumbai 2024 is also characterised by a multicultural approach to curatorial activities, which emphasises the unity and diversification of South Asian art and encourages communication with global trends. Dinesh Vazirani, CEO of the company, points out that despite the name, it is aimed at presenting diverse shows to the audience, starting with the local actors and singers and ending with the world stars. The show has original works of renowned artists like Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Anish Kapoor, aside from the latest artists from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

The range of work is enormous, and contemporary art includes a variety of forms such as paintings, sculptures, photographs, digital media installations, and performances. Galleries like Vadehra Art Gallery, Galerie Isa, and Blueprint12 are supporting both emerging and mid-career artists. These artists explore themes of identity, citizenship, and change through their work in painting, sculpture, photography, and installation. These works compel the viewer to critically examine the places where the self-images intersect with other political formations and the diversity of South Asia’s artistic heritage while facilitating dialogue with international movements.

Parag Tandel, Vitamin Sea, Coastal Road Project 3. Installation view, Art Mumbai's Sculpture Walk.

Photo credits: Art Mumbai

Fostering cultural growth through the influence of art

However, Art Mumbai 2024 also plans on being a hub of culture in addition to promoting visual artistic works. With the addition of the luxury retail Design Row at the Arches, boasting from exquisite fabrics to jewellery, it became an artwork itself. This way, fashion and cinema will be integrated with music to portray modern Mumbai, with its fashion scene being an important part of its cultural fabric. By including elements of fashion, film, and music, the fair embraces Mumbai’s vibrant cultural scene, weaving together the various artistic expressions that define the city. This approach not only expands the audience for Art Mumbai but makes the experience immersive, reflecting Mumbai’s role as a hub of innovation and creativity.

Divya Singh, Someone else's memory/ A Day in the Afterlife, Oil on canvas, 72 x 48 inches, 2024

Photo credits: Shrine Empire and Divya Singh

Here are highlights from some of the galleries that are participating at this year’s edition: 

The Galleries at Art Mumbai 2024 offer a new emphasis on South Asian art from several different galleries. Initiatives such as Delhi’s Shrine Empire will showcase art created by artists about issues of migration, memory, and identity. At Blueprint12, the emotional and calming nature of the fair is reflected with works whose subject is weaving and quilting, and each piece is infused with the artist’s time and recalls its exploring themes of migration, memory, and identity.

Indu Antony, Without water how will I wash the blood off, Cotton and Kaudi embroidery, variable (saree blouse), 2024

Photo credits: Blueprint.12 and Indu Antony

Hema Shironi’s works address the intersection of migration and personal history, while Shruti Mahajan’s art explores the politics of borders and the meaning of “home.” Blueprint12 brings an introspective touch to the fair, showcasing works that focus on the meditative practices of weaving and quilting, with each piece embodying the artist’s dedication to time and memory.

Hema Shironi, Donated Bus Stop, Hand embroidery on Gary fabric, 2.75 x 1.96 inches, 2024

Photo credits: Hema Shironi and Shrine Empire

With Bengaluru-based artist Kaimurai, Åkesson uses natural indigo-dyed textiles of architectural inspirations overlaying rhythms intrinsic to Carnatic music. These artworks straddle the two worlds of traditional art and craft and ‘new’ popular subject matters, while also retaining cultural ties and the employment of modern images.

Kaimurai, Unformed Form VI, Natural Indigo on Khadi textile, 101.6 x 76.2 cm, 2024

Photo credits: Blueprint.12 and Kaimurai

Galerie Isa will be showcasing Gregor Hildebrandt and Russna Kaur, presenting their  abstract and miniature works. 

François-Xavier Lalanne’s work has was also exhibited at Art Weekend Mumbai in a group show of Ben Brown Fine Arts. Lalanne’s work — best known for the sculptures of animals, especially sheep — blur the line between fine art and decorative items. The artist also installed his animal sculptures in public spaces like parks.

Installation view of Galerie Isa's Booth at Art Mumbai 2024.

Photo credits: Galerie Isa

Metamorphosis by Milaaya Embroideries 

Creatively Embroidered by Milaaya Art Gallery by Gayatri Khanna, Presented by Shalini Passi’s MASH and Curated by Dr. Arshiya Lokhandwala — this exhibition seeks to showcase the innovative methodologies within which South Asian artists are interpreting the complexities of the contemporary world, reinvented through traditional embroidery techniques. By exploring the theme of Metamorphosis, the artists engage deeply with history, memory, and temporality, presenting a unique perspective on the evolving relationship between cultural heritage and present-day experiences. Their work reflects in the craftsmanship at the intersection of historical continuity and modern innovation, offering a dynamic lens through which viewers can witness both the preservation and transformation of embroidery as an art form that collapses the boundaries of time, seamlessly intertwining past and present.

Installation view of Metamorphosis by Milaaya Embroideries founded by Gayatri Khanna, presented by Shalini Passi’s MASH and curated by Dr. Arshiya Lokhandwala.

Photo credits: Milaaya Art

The exhibition becomes a testament to the enduring power of embroidery as both a vessel of history and a medium through which new, futurist expressions emerge-bridging centuries and reflecting the ever-shifting landscape of identity and creativity in South Asia today. 

The selected works, meticulously embroidered by the artisans of Milaaya Art, exemplify a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary artistry. Techniques such as Aari, Zardozi, Phulkari, Kantha, Kutch, and delicate French Knots are employed to highlight the depth and diversity of India’s rich embroidery heritage.

Installation view of Metamorphosis by Milaaya Embroideries founded by Gayatri Khanna, presented by Shalini Passi’s MASH and curated by Dr. Arshiya Lokhandwala.

Photo credits: Milaaya Art

Conclusion: A celebration of art and people

Art Mumbai 2024 is not just an art fair, it’s a movement to create change and express the general theme of unity behind art. By local and global integration, active critical thinking, and stimulating the multi-sensory experiences of the visitors, the fair should place Mumbai on the map of the art world metropolis. From the legacy of the Progressive Artists’ Group in 1947 to today’s thriving contemporary scene, Mumbai has always been a melting pot of artistic innovation.

Shalini Passi at Ben Brown Fine Arts Booth at Art Mumbai 2024.

Photo credits: Viraj Joshi

Text by Shalini Passi

Image Courtesy: Art Mumbai, Parag Tandel, Divya Singh, Shrine Empire, Indu Antony, Blueprint.12, Hema Shironi, Kaimurai, Galerie Isa, Milaaya Art, and Viraj Joshi

Find out more about Art Mumbai 2024: https://www.artmumbai.com/

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