The Mumbai Chapter

Two decades after it opened its doors in the Capital,Delhi Art Gallery (DAG) is all set to start its Mumbai innings. The gallery,which has built a reputation as India’s largest private repository of 20th century Indian modern art,is slated to open on October 26 at Kala Ghoda. Moreover,the opening exhibition is equally significant as it marks one of the biggest exhibitions of Progressive Artists’ works. Titled “Mumbai Modern: Progressive Artists’ Group 1947-2013”,the show celebrates the works of this influential group,which was formed in Mumbai in 1947. It had many stalwarts including Francis Newton Souza,SH Raza,MF Husain,Akbar Padamsee,Ram Kumar and Tyeb Mehta as members.

“We chose “Mumbai Modern” as the title of the exhibition because we wished to establish the artists’ link with the city,as well as highlight the ongoing work of these artists long

after the city ceased to be Bombay and was renamed Mumbai,” says Ashish Anand,Director,DAG. On till the end of the year,the exhibition will feature a total of 130 works. It will be accompanied by a 500-page book that features more works by the Progressives and detailed information about the same. The book is available for sale and is priced at Rs 10,000.

The Mumbai branch of DAG is situated in a stand-alone building on Dr V B Gandhi Marg and is spread over four levels. The ground and first floor will have exhibition galleries reserved for ongoing exhibitions,while the second floor plays host to a part of the gallery’s permanent collection. The third floor is dedicated to a sculpture courtyard-cum-auditorium.

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