India Art Fair 2026 Opens with Record Exhibitors and Global Attention
The 17th India Art Fair commenced in New Delhi on February 5, featuring 135 exhibitors. Jaya Asokan, the fair's director, highlighted an increasing global interest in South Asian art. VIP collectors from Art Basel Qatar were present, with Indian galleries Chemould Prescott Road and Nature Morte also participating in both events. Visitors engaged with Judy Chicago's installation 'What if Women Ruled the World?' Nature Morte displayed Marina Abramović's self-portrait 'Energy Hat (Reading)' (2001/23). Ai Weiwei attended, noting a broadened perspective towards India. Newcomers Saatchi Yates, Rajiv Menon Contemporary, Subcontinent, and Art and Charlie reported early sales, while Vadehra Art Gallery sold 80% of its booth. Exhibitors reported positive outcomes with steady attendance.
Key facts
- India Art Fair's 17th edition opened in New Delhi on February 5, 2026.
- The fair featured a record 135 exhibitors, its largest iteration to date.
- Fair director Jaya Asokan stated international attention on South Asian art has reached an inflection point.
- VIP collectors arrived from Art Basel Qatar, and two Indian galleries participated in both fairs.
- Judy Chicago's 'What if Women Ruled the World?' was presented at the entrance through DMINTI.
- Nature Morte presented Marina Abramović for the first time, including her work 'Energy Hat (Reading)'.
- Ai Weiwei attended and said the exhibition helped him expand his horizons toward India.
- Rajiv Menon Contemporary reported near-total sell-through with five institutional acquisitions on day one.
Entities
Artists
- Judy Chicago
- Marina Abramović
- Ai Weiwei
- Jitish Kallat
- Asim Waqif
- Shailesh B.R.
- Bharti Kher
- Sujay Sanan
- Yogesh Barve
- Arpita Singh
- Nilima Sheikh
- Nalini Malani
- Madhvi Parekh
- Jyoti Bhatt
- Haku Shah
- Hemali Vadalia
- Atul Dodiya
- Manjit Bawa
- Sudhir Patwardhan
- Huma Bhabha
- Suzan Frecon
- Wolfgang Tillmans
- Yayoi Kusama
- Olafur Eliasson
- Andreas Eriksson
- Shilpa Gupta
- Birender Yadav
Institutions
- India Art Fair
- Chemould Prescott Road
- Nature Morte
- DMINTI
- ArtAsiaPacific
- Vadehra Art Gallery
- Saatchi Yates
- Rajiv Menon Contemporary
- Subcontinent
- Art and Charlie
- Kiran Nadar Museum of Art
- David Zwirner
- neugerriemschneider
- Jhaveri Contemporary
- Kochi-Muziris Biennale
- TARQ
- Art Basel Qatar
- Jaipur Centre for Art
Locations
- New Delhi
- India
- London
- United Kingdom
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Mumbai
- Cape Town
- South Africa
- Berlin
- Germany
- Kochi
- Jaipur