1 week Ago By VOGUE India
During the debut edition of Art Mumbai last year, Mahalaxmi Racecourse transformed into a temporary museum with works by several famous artists dotting its makeshift walls. Up until then, Mumbai had lacked a foothold in the art world, and the festival—which brought in over 2,000 pieces of art and attracted 25,000 visitors—gave the city’s art community a bomb of a wave to surf. Returning from November 14 to November 17 this year, once again at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Art Mumbai 2024 is set to build on last year’s success, promising a spectacle that’s both bigger and better.
You know what that means though—you’re either going to have to divide your visit into two sessions on two different days so you don’t miss anything or you must bookmark the bits you really don’t want to miss. Vogue India’s got your back and is here to help with the latter. Below are 11 Vogue -approved exhibits and sessions at Art Mumbai 2024 that you should definitely catch: A London-born gallery displays an extraordinary collection of modern and contemporary masterpieces London-, Hong Kong-, and Florida-based gallery Ben Brown Fine Arts will debut modern and contemporary masterpieces at Art Mumbai 2024.
Among the highlights are Pablo Picasso’s ‘Chevalier et Picador Dans l'Arène’ (1951), a pen and ink drawing that captures the artist’s fascination with bullfighting; Andy Warhol’s iconic ‘Portrait of Charles Ireland’ (1979), which underscores Warhol’s pioneering pop art style and his exploration of celebrity culture; and François-Xavier Lalanne’s ‘Nouveaux Moutons’ (Bélier), a playful yet profound work that challenges the boundaries between art and utility. Pieces by contemporary artists including Damien Hirst, Robert Indiana, Yoan Capote, Awol Erizku and Vik Muniz will also be on display. Jogen Chowdhury’s works showcase his unique approach to Indian modernism Blending traditional influences with contemporary sensibilities, renowned painter Jogen Chowdhury will present a compelling series of works that showcase his distinctive approach to Indian modernism.
Known for his expressive line work and evocative figurative forms, the 85-year-old’s art explores themes of identity, introspection and the human condition, often infused with melancholy and mysticism. His intricate, almost spiritual drawings and vibrant paintings offer a window into the emotional depth and complexity of the modern world through a uniquely South Asian lens. The Singh Twins soothe the diaspora’s loss of identity with their layered miniature paintings The Singh Twins , renowned for their vibrant and intricate mixed-media works, blend traditional Indian miniature painting with contemporary themes in their expansive collages.
Their work explores identity, culture and history, often examining the complexities of postcolonial narratives and the intersection of Eastern and Western influences. Through detailed, narrative-driven compositions, they invite viewers to engage with layered stories of social, political and personal significance. M F Husain’s art is presented alongside a group of works by renowned modern artists M F Husain’s Cubist paintings are instantly recognisable and always a pleasure to behold, but this time, they will be surrounded by artworks from the oeuvres of other famous artists like Nalini Malani , who belongs to the country’s first generation of video artists; S H Raza, one of the founders of the Progressive Artists’ Group along with K H Ara and F N Souza; German-based sculptor Wolf Gang Laib, whose work has been exhibited by some of the most important galleries and museums in the world; Jamini Roy, one of the earliest and most significant modernists of the Indian art landscape; Abindranath Tagore, the nephew of Rabindranath Tagore and the creator of the Indian Society of Oriental Art; Ram Kumar, one of India’s foremost abstract painters; and Prabhakar Barwe, a pioneering post-progressive artist, whose work was way ahead of his time.
Yes, it’s going to be all of the above in one space. Tyeb Mehta’s symbolic works reflect the socio-political climate of post-independence India The late Tyeb Mehta was a leading figure in Indian modernism, known for his powerful and emotional works that explored themes of alienation and human struggle. His signature style combined bold, simplified forms with rich, dramatic colours, creating a visual language that conveyed deep psychological and social tension.
Mehta’s work, often rooted in the socio-political climate of post-independence India, continues to resonate globally for its intensity and profound symbolism, especially now, when the entire world seems to be in a state of turmoil. Sakti Burman draws from both Eastern and Western influences to create a fascinating confluence A painter and printmaker, Sakti Burman is known for his Surrealist work that draws iconography from Indian and European art, creating a fusion of surrealism and Indian mythology where the boundaries between reality and dream blur. His vibrant, intricate paintings invite viewers into mystical worlds filled with symbolism–exploring themes of spirituality, nature and the human experience.
Depicting both Eastern and Western influences, Burman’s art evokes a sense of timelessness, offering a glimpse into a realm where imagination and reality intertwine. Anish Kapoor’s sculptures look like they arrived from the dystopian future we’re headed towards Widely regarded as one of the most pioneering sculptors of contemporary art, Anish Kapoor is renowned for his innovative exploration of space, form and perception. Using reflective surfaces and bold pigments, his gigantic sculptures create immersive environments that challenge the viewer’s sense of depth and reality.
His iconic pieces—‘The Bean’ in Chicago being one of them—invite both introspection and awe, blurring the line between the physical and the metaphysical. Kapoor’s most stellar achievements include being the first living artist to be given a solo show at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, designing a ring for Bvlgari and owning exclusive artistic rights to Vantablack, the blackest pigment to exist in the world. Galerie Geek Art will supply you with a gorgeous dose of Oriental art An Indo-Japanese art gallery based in Tokyo, Galerie Geek Art focuses on spotlighting the contemporary Asian art scene by showcasing visionary artists pushing creative boundaries across various mediums and socio-cultural perspectives.
At Art Mumbai, six Japanese artists, Shun Sudo, Tomiyuki Kaneko, Kenji Yanobe, Mari Ito, Yusuke Asai and Yuka Namata will present layered works influenced by Shintoism, the Japanese philosophy that views nature and spiritualism as intimately tied together. At 100: Celebrating 100 Years of Indian Art History through FN Souza, VS Gaitonde and Ram Kumar marks the centennial of three Indian modernism giants F N Souza, V S Gaitonde and Ram Kumar’s groundbreaking work helped shape the identity of post-independence Indian art. Explore how these artists, along with their peers, developed a new artistic language that captured the evolving spirit of a newly independent nation.
Join panellists Dadiba Pundole, Dara Mehta and Roobina Karode for an in-depth conversation on their legacy. This event is on November 16 at 4 pm. In conversation with Karan Johar Join Art Mumbai’s Cultural Ambassador, Karan Johar, for an intimate conversation about the dynamic intersection of art, culture and Mumbai.
As a leading figure in both the film and creative industries, Johar will share his insights on how the city’s vibrant cultural landscape shapes and inspires artistic expression. The event is on November 16 at 6 pm. Ctrl+Art+Create: Discussing the Collaboration, Ethics and Future of Art and AI This thought-provoking panel will explore the intersection of art and artificial intelligence, examining how AI is shifting from a tool to a creative collaborator.
Expect discussions on the evolving nature of creativity, the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI-generated art and the future of legal frameworks in this rapidly changing field. Panellists include Dinesh Moorjani, Nikhil Narendran and Prateek Arora, with insights moderated by Asad Lalljee. This panel discussion is on November 17 at 2 pm.
Also read: 13 new art shows in India we’re excited about this November Is India Art Fair Contemporary proof that Mumbai is finally earning a reputation as an art hub? Art Mumbai 2023: Mumbai’s first-ever Art Fair invites audiences to engage with art like never before.
