The 2022 edition of India Art Fair, the leading platform to discover and celebrate modern and contemporary art from South Asia, closed on 1 May amid reports of robust sales. Presented by BMW India from 28 April to 1 May 2022 at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds in New Delhi, the fair presented a strong contingent of 77 exhibitors, including 63 galleries and 14 institutional participants from 16 cities in India and beyond. This edition welcomed new and returning visitors including from leading HNWIs and art patrons, artists and curators, young collectors and students, cementing the fair’s position as a platform to engage with, discover and collect South Asian art.
Celebrating the return of its physical format in 2022, India Art Fair unfolded a range of public programmes and tightly curated gallery presentations that championed new trailblazing voices alongside established household names. The fair featured over 500 modern and contemporary artists, an unrivalled representation of non-profits and institutions, an oversubscribed auditorium talks programme, colossal outdoor art projects, Artist in Residence workshops, cutting-edge performances and a reimagined PLATFORM section that showcased underrepresented traditional and folk Indian art forms. Tapping into the growing interest amongst millennials and a new generation of audiences, the fair also introduced an expanded YOUNG COLLECTORS PROGRAMME with the aim of educating and empowering new collectors.
Indicative of the multifaceted talent of the next generation of Indian artists, India Art Fair also launched THE STUDIO, a section dedicated to experimenting with new ideas in art and technology. Within this section, the fair presented an interactive AR display by the techart platform BeFantastic supported by Tezos India, a visitor-centric installation by Khoj International Artists’ Association on urban pollution, and an installation of light and shadow play by artist Tapan Moharana presented by Space 118, among many others.
Jaya Asokan, Fair Director of India Art Fair, commented:
“As the first fair that I oversaw, I am immensely proud of the team and all our artists, galleries and partners for working so seamlessly together and for pushing the boundaries of the region’s artistic language. The upbeat energy at the fair has demonstrated that audiences here are ready to dive back in and experience art in person again, a true embodiment of the strength and resilience of the region’s art scene.
Since the pandemic has caused a paradigm shift in the global art market, the purpose of art fairs have taken on a new relevance, which prompted us to reconsider our role within the art world. In a bid to sustain this cultural dialogue throughout the last two years, we transitioned from a seasonal 4-day event to a year-round presence through a refreshed website with newly commissioned artist films and stories, IAF Parallel exhibitions and events, new pop-ups and public art projects, workshops and walkthroughs to grow our footprint within the region.
Our planning ahead of the 2022 edition has helped us broach new and deeper conversations with leading figures from the region and culminated in robust sales across the fair this year. Our holistic programmes at this year’s fair have really helped solidify the fair as a link between the South Asian and international art landscapes. I am delighted at the success we achieved this year, which will help shape the expectations and narrative for future editions of India Art Fair.”
Celebrating 6 years of creative partnership, Presenting Partner BMW Group India returned to the fair and showcased a wrap for BMW’s all-connected and electric iX designed by young Indian artist Faiza Hasan, who was awarded ‘The Future is Born of Art’ commission. Hasan’s car wrap design reflects on the theme of sustainability and expands this into the community by including Urdu words like ‘suno’ meaning ‘listen’. Complementing this partnership, The BMW Art Talk given by Indian contemporary artist Atul Dodiya, one of the most prestigious artist talks, kicked off the programming schedule at the fair.
Vikram Pawah, President of BMW Group India, commented,
“For over 15 years, various cultural initiatives have been an integral part of BMW Group India’s social sustainability. From showcasing the coveted BMW Art Cars to supporting multiple contemporary art exhibitions across the country, we are committed to nurture contemporary art platforms. We are proud to present India Art Fair in 2022 for the sixth year in a row and are thrilled to showcase ‘The Future is Born of Art’—an initiative to propel emerging Indian artists and further BMW Group’s commitment to promoting art, sustainability, and innovation. With this Commission, we hope to empower young Indian voices and further creativity’s role in imagining a sustainable world.”
Leading figures across the cultural landscapes of India and the South Asia region attended the fair to explore and experience the diverse line-up of leading exhibitors and curated programmes. These include art patrons such as Feroze and Mohit Gujral, Radhika Chopra, Kiran and Shiv Nadar, Sunil Munjal, Tarini and Sangita Jindal, Tarana and Tarun Sawhney, Shalini Jindal, Lekha Poddar, Abhishek Poddar, Sunitha and Vijay Choraria, Sonal Ambani, Indira and Pradeep Burman, Vasudha Ruia, Vivek Nanda, Madhu Neotia, Alexandra Fain, Shalini Passi, Meha Patel, Arti Kirloskar, Miheeka Bajaj and V. Sunil.
Aiming to widen access to art and collecting amongst the next generation, the fair hosted an expanded YOUNG COLLECTORS’ PROGRAMME, which was a great success with one of a kind music, art and performance programmes featured at Fresh Produce, a show curated by the up-and-coming gallery Method and presented by India Art Fair ‘Young Patrons of the Year’, MadStarBase. As well as walkthroughs of private homes, corporate collections and New Delhi’s foremost galleries and institutions, and social events to build a community of like-minded creatives and collectors. The fair also led curated walks for young collectors with a focus on affordably priced works.
Taking place annually in India’s capital, New Delhi, the fair reflects the city’s fast-developing local arts scene, while offering curated insights into the cultural landscapes of neighbouring countries. The fair’s programme – which draws together galleries and artists, private foundations and arts charities, artists’ collectives, national institutions, cultural events and festivals – enables international audiences to engage in innovative ways with the cultural history and development of the region.
The fair is committed to supporting arts education and professional development opportunities, recognising the crucial need to support the development of the local arts scene, and provide dedicated exhibition space to emerging galleries and arts organisations. The fair aims to run an extensive programme of events, including education initiatives, artist commissions and pop-up programmes, aiming to increase audiences for the arts within India.
India Art Fair is owned by Angus Montgomery Arts, a division of Angus Montgomery Ltd.
Images: Courtesy of India-Art-Fair 2022
Source: India-Art-Fair 2022
https://indiaartfair.in/