India Art Fair 2025: Ai Weiwei and Anish Kapoor among 120 exhibitors this year

Asokan recalls how the Italian-British artist collective Claire Fontaine’s series ‘Foreigners Everywhere’ captivated her attention at the 2024 Venice Biennale. After working through the logistics of bringing them to Delhi, their site-specific installations will now be showcased at various locations across the Capital, including IAF, Khoj Studios, Sunder Nursery, and the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA). Curated by Andrea Anastasio, the works will be rooted in India and its diverse languages.

Manu Parekh’s Manthan;

As visitors walk down the path leading to the fair’s tents at NSIC Grounds in Okhla, they will be greeted by Vibha Galhotra’s Orbis Unum – II, a work inspired by Buddhist teachings, that emphasises how art can foster dialogue and peace. While Asim Waqif’s interactive installation will urge viewers to reconsider materiality and urban decay, Yogesh Barve’s installation uses Ambedkar’s writings to confront ongoing social issues. Rooted in his childhood experiences, Mohd Intiyaz’s sculptural piece will delve into themes of discrimination and resilience.

Designed by Ayesha Singh, this year’s tent facade will show her ongoing research on the contribution of women to Indian architecture, spanning from 1000 AD to the modern era. With limited opportunities to experience international art in India throughout the year, the IAF offers art enthusiasts a rare chance to engage with global works. Featuring 13 international exhibitors, this year’s line-up includes Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Box, a mesmerising installation of LED lights and reflective mirrors at the David Zwirner booth that will also showcase recent works by Pakistani-American sculptor Huma Bhabha and Colombian artist Oscar Murillo.

British-Indian artist Anish Kapoor and Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei will be featured at Galleria Continua and Lisson Gallery. Ellie Harrison-Read, director of Lisson Gallery, which has participated in the IAF since 2011, notes, “We believe that the fair provides an important platform for generating new points of connection with the local audience. Our objective is to showcase each of the artist’s practices in as much breadth as space will allow — in most cases, we are bringing a curated selection of works by each artist as opposed to single artworks.” So at the Lisson booth this year, will be Los Angeles-based Kelly Akashi’s hand-blown glass sculptures, Kapoor’s stainless steel and lacquer Garnet to Pagan Gold satin, and Weiwei’s 2023 Neolithic Vase Merged with Toy Bricks.

Subodh Gupta’s Bud

The booths across the aisles will bring together the contemporary, modern and digital — from SH Raza to Ram Kumar, MF Husain, KCS Paniker, Nalini Malani, Shilpa Gupta, Subodh Gupta, Manjunath Kamath, Benitha Perciyal and Sudarshan Shetty, among several others. There will also be representation from around the subcontinent, including works of Bangladeshi artist Ayesha Sultana at Experimenter and contemporary Sri Lankan artist Priyantha Udagedara at Exhibit 320.

“India has a multiplicity of art scenes across the country and they come together in one location that the Indian art world looks forward to each year at IAF. The growing Indian art market has attracted international galleries who are increasingly participating — adding them to this conversation,” says Diana Campbell, artistic director of Samdani Art Foundation and artistic director of the inaugural edition of Bukhara Biennial that will open in September 2025. She will also be speaking at the fair on “Crafting Unity in Diversity: Central and South Asia”.

While most galleries will present a diverse range of artists, the ‘Focus’ section will spotlight a more extensive body of work from select artists. This will include embroidery and painting-based works by Viraj Khanna (Kalakriti Art Gallery), sculptural work by Arjun Das (Dhi Contemporary), works exploring natural material from the Deccan scrublands by Sandilya Theuerkauf (Kynkyny Art Gallery) and contemporary miniatures by Anindita Bhattacharya (Threshold Art Gallery).

Anish Kapoor’s Garnet to Pagan Gold satin

Following its introduction last year, the design section is set to expand, with 11 design studios participating this year.
Celebrating traditional arts, meanwhile, will be the ‘Platform’ section. On view will be artworks in Gond, Chikankari, Pichwai and Warli, among others. “We present traditional art forms alongside contemporary innovations, highlighting how these traditions are evolving. The section is positioned on the same level-playing field as contemporary art, as a statement that they deserve equal recognition and respect,” says Asokan.

Maite Delteil’s Evening Sunlight

Though viewers are encouraged to wander in the aisles and discover art, there are also tours to provide broad guidance. While the ‘Highlights’ tour promises a quick overview, ‘Truth to Power’ has stopovers at works that mirror societal differences, ‘30 Under 30 Ultra Contemporary’ focuses on newer practices, and ‘Indigenous Living Traditions’ will focus on traditional art. A thoughtful effort is made to ensure that art remains accessible and does not overwhelm. “The format is inviting, not intimidating. The central walkway, for instance, is kept fairly open and has viewing space so that the audience can interact with the art,” says Asokan. To be held from February 6 to 9, at NSIC Exhibition Grounds, Okhla, tickets for India Art Fair are available on bookymyshow. Nearest metro station is Govindpuri. For more detals, log onto indiaartfair.in