Every winter, New Delhi’s art ecosystem comes alive with numerous art fairs, exhibitions and installations popping up all over the city, almost one around every corner. Capping off the winter schedule of art events in the capital is the India Art Fair (IAF), which brings together 'India's most important contemporary galleries alongside established international names showcasing rare masterpieces and contemporary works, as well as examples drawing from South Asia’s traditional arts heritage.’ India Art Fair 2024 features more than100 exhibitors—including 72 art galleries, seven design studios, a diverse and dynamic Talks programme supported by the JSW Foundation (erstwhile Jindal Education and Medical Trust and Jindal South-West Foundation), and more than 12 first-time South Asian institutional participants—to celebrate the arts and its long history in the region, and its influences beyond.

As Jaya Asokan, Fair Director of IAF comments, “The landmark 15^th edition of India Art Fair comes at an exciting time for both the South Asian art scene and the market, with artists from the region becoming a part of international conversations as never before. As we continue to grow as a fair, we remain focused on our mission to amplify the voices of the most exciting artists from the region and to support the expansion of South Asian creativity.”

With the mission to represent and foster an appreciation for South Asian arts, artisanship, and craftsmanship, this year IAF will also be launching their first section on Design Initiatives. Highlighting burgeoning contemporary design practices in South Asia, the inaugural design section will be host to pioneering designers and studios—displaying everything from collectible furniture to jewellery—with a strong emphasis on interventions that champion age-old traditions of craft from the region. The inclusion of design at the arts-dedicated event not only pays homage to the tradition of Indian craftsmanship but also builds on the growth of the Indian art market and economy at large. Threading the fine line between functional and beautiful, traditional and contemporary, the inclusion of designers and craftsmen at IAF feels instinctual. For one man’s design is another man’s art. As we await the commencement of the art fair on February 1, 2024, STIR lists the design events, designers and artists one should keep an eye out for at the exhibition.

Design

Two collectible design galleries join this year’s list of exhibitors: Carpenters Workshop Gallery based in London, and æquō in Mumbai. Centred around the theme Querencia–a Spanish word which describes a homing instinct, Carpenters’ showcase embodies a place of refuge. The display will be created in collaboration with Indian architect and designer, Ashiesh Shah. Shah will showcase original work from his eponymous design studio, Atelier Ashiesh Shah alongside artists such as Wendell Castle, Nacho Carbonell, Ingrid Donat and Karl Lagerfeld.

Also marking his second year at the art festival, renowned New Delhi-based designer Vikram Goyal will showcase a limited edition collection of coffee tables, consoles, mirrors, and screens—all rendered in Goyal’s signature material, bronze. The highlight for the display will be Silken Passage, a 28 ft long and 8 ft high mural inspired by the Silk Road. With his work, Goyal continues to explore contemporary applications of traditional metal handicrafts.

While designers and studios highlight the coming together of art with function at the fair, a collaboration between the CP Kukreja Foundation for Design Excellence and artist Vishal K. Dar highlights the inherent connection between architecture and art. Through an exhibition titled The Master Plan, a spotlight is directed on late architect CP Kukreja’s master plan for Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Through drawings and models, the archival exhibition aims to explore the intersections of architecture, citizenship and nation-building.

Other designers who will be displaying their work at the fair include Gunjan Gupta, an Indian designer who plays with material and form through her collaborations with the country’s craft vernacular; Rooshad Shroff, a Mumbai-based designer, who will showcase marble inlaid wooden furniture designs (in collaboration with T Venkanna, an artist); Studio Renn, who specialise in collectible jewellery design combining alternative materials like concrete with gold and diamonds; and de Gournay, known for special edition hand-embroidered and hand-painted wallpapers.

Craft

While the contemporary designers at the fair represent a coming together of traditional technique with contemporary form, certain institutions and galleries present in the vast list of exhibitors exemplify the relevance of indigenous art and craft in the contemporary world. While the Indian Ceramic Triennale’s outdoor art installation, Clay in Common showcases the incredible diversity of artists working with clay in India today, the Chanakya School of Craft will showcase three artwork series at the confluence of art and craft. Two of these series of works were conceived in collaboration with the Galerie Lelong, and French artist Barthélémy Toguo; and with Galleria Continua and French artist Eva Jospin.

Belong, one of the series from their showcase explores the connection between humans and the natural; showing large-scale handcrafted interdisciplinary works that use a variety of needlepoint techniques. Belong also includes bamboo terracotta sculptures made with basket weaving techniques.

Talks

The Talks Programme, supported by the JSW Foundation includes a roster of leading voices of creatives, curators, philanthropists and market experts from the realm of art and culture. Each talk is curated to place an emphasis on the world of South Asian art and its place in the wider world of international art and foster discourse on key issues in art, design and architecture. Among some of the highlights include a talk with the Chairperson of the JSW Foundation and Co-Founder of the Hampi Art Labs, Sangita Jindal; Director of Delfina Foundation, Aaron Cezar; Founder and Director of What About Art, Eve Lemesle; contemporary artist Madhvi Subrahmanian and Principal Architect at sP+a, Sameep Padora titled Spotlight On Hampi: Envisioning New Futures Of Art, Culture And Heritage In India, which will reflect the role artist residencies play in fostering diverse creative voices, as a celebration of the opening of Hampi Art Labs, designed by Padora’s studio to serve as a first-of-its-kind space for art, creativity and heritage.’

Reflecting on the power of design and architecture not just as a patron of the arts but as a catalyst for development, Design As Catalyst For India's Growth: Innovation And Identity chaired by the Artistic Director of Chanakya International and Chanakya School of Craft, Karishma Swali, Co-founder and Creative Director of Motherland magazine, V Sunil, Principal and Founder of Diana Kellogg Architects, Diana Kellogg; and conservation architect and India CEO for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Ratish Nanda will provide insights into the development of India’s identity as a global creative force. Other talks highlighting the relevance of handicrafts in contemporary design, and the blurred lines between art and design will be chaired by the designers included as exhibitors at the fair: Vikram Goyal, Gunjan Gupta and Ashiesh Shah.

…And everything in between

The celebration of South Asian art, craft and design exemplified by the fair and its varied participants also includes parallel events/exhibitions throughout the city, each adding to the discourse on contemporary art of South Asia. Bridging the distance between different people from all walks of life and the often illusory art world, the four-day event also includes curated tours, educational workshops and programmes that support artists. Moreover, underscoring the need for inclusivity and opening up access to art for all, the 2024 fair emphasises the need for accessible spaces through braille guides, tactile artworks, and an accessible seating and floor plan, just like previous editions have.

With a dazzling array of exhibitors, and a wide range of artists that ensure there is something in the fair for everyone, this year’s India Art Fair will continue to be ‘a global meeting ground for collectors, curators and art professionals and strengthening cultural dialogue and ties with the wider international art scene.’

The 15^th edition of India Art Fair, the leading platform showcasing contemporary and modern art from India and South Asia will take place from February 1-4, 2024 in New Delhi. Click here to explore STIR’s (Strategic Media Partner with IAF 2024) highlights from the event.