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If you were at the 16th edition of the India Art Fair (IAF), you probably spent the day hunting for network connectivity, trying not to max out your phone storage, and carefully curating your Instagram grid. The largest and most ambitious IAF yet was a buzzing testament to India’s growing art market, now seriously asserting itself in the global scene. The fair, sprawling across the NSIC Exhibition Grounds, had 78 galleries and 28 non-profits on show, with a program that stretched beyond visual art into design, performance, outdoor art, and panel discussions. Notably, the fair also featured some major international representation, including blue-chip galleries as well as first-time exhibitors, further solidifying India’s place on the global art map. But now that you’ve seen it all, what’s next? Well, hold tight—here are the artists to follow, galleries making waves, and collector trends to keep an eye on.
Artists to Keep on Your Radar
1. Viraj Khanna (Kalakriti Art Gallery)
Installation view of Kalakriti Art Gallery Booth L04 showing ‘Love Me, Love My Dog’ by Viraj Khanna.
A son of fashion royalty (yes, Anamika Khanna is his mom), Viraj takes Instagram culture and spins it into a fabric of its own. His embroidered Instagram grid at the fair was both hilarious and striking—a cheeky commentary on how we present our lives online.
2. Mohd. Intiyaz (Method Art Gallery)
Mohd. Intiyaz, Dar Badar 2.0, 2025.
Migrating from Jharkhand, Intiyaz’s “Dar Badar 2.0” installation is an emotional powerhouse, depicting figurines trapped in a maze of copper pipes and buckets. It’s a stark reflection on migration, belonging, and resilience—a theme we can all relate to.
3. Buddhadev Mukherjee (Art Exposure)
Installation view at Art Exposure Booth E09 at India Art Fair 2025. Left to right: Three paintings by Buddhadev Mukherjee.
Ever wondered what happens when everyday life gets a surreal twist? Buddhadev’s artworks are like a whimsical dance between reality and imagination. His characters, often solitary figures, navigate through dreamlike scenarios that reflect the quirks and ironies of daily existence. It’s like looking into a mirror that shows not just your reflection but your innermost thoughts and fantasies.
4. Nandita Kumar (Shrine Empire)
Nandita Kumar, The Unwanted Ecology (powered by Solar Panel and sound installation responsive to humidity sensor), 2017. Source: Shrine Empire.
Imagine if Mother Nature had a tech geek as a best friend—that’s Nandita for you. Her installation, ‘The Unwanted Ecology’, is a solar-powered symphony where dried plants in glass flasks buzz and hum, highlighting the often-overlooked relationship between the industrial and natural worlds. It’s a quirky yet profound reminder of the delicate balance we often take for granted.
5. Yogesh Barve (Outdoor Installation)
Yogesh Barve, I am not your Dalit, 2025, Flexible LED panels, electronics, metal. Source: Art & Charlie.
Yogesh doesn’t just make art; he makes statements. Supported by Art & Charlie, his installation, ‘I am not your Dalit’, tackles the heavy subject of caste discrimination with a boldness that’s hard to ignore. Drawing inspiration from James Baldwin’s book I Am Not Your Negro, he uses Ambedkar’s writings to challenge societal norms. It’s like a wake-up call in the form of art, urging us to confront uncomfortable truths.
6. Umesh S. (Artist-in-Residence, IAF)
Umesh S, Suffocation in Occupation, 2018, Cyanotype Print. Source: IAF.
Eco-conscious collectors and green warriors, this one’s for you. Umesh S. merges visual art, performance with agriculture, using indigenous materials to tell stories of disappearing seeds and vanishing traditions. His performance piece at IAF was a masterclass in bringing ecological issues to the forefront. If you’re into sustainability and storytelling, he’s your guy.
7. Sandliya Theuerkauf (KYNKYNY Art Gallery)
Sandliya Theuerkauf, Fluggea leucopyrus, Wooden sculpture. Source: KYNKYNY Art Gallery.
Raised in the heart of Kerala’s rainforests, Sandliya’s art is basically nature’s love letter. He turns fallen bark, branches, and thorns into cool sculptures that feel like a secret portal to the wild. His work’s a reminder to stop, look around, and think about what we might lose if we don’t take better care of the land around us.
Installation view at the Experimenter Booth C01 at India Art Fair 2025. Works by Pushpakanthan Pakkiyarajah. Source: Experimenter.
Galleries Making Waves
Some newcomers made a splash, while the usual suspects reaffirmed their dominance.
Nature Morte (Mumbai/Delhi) – Consistently one of India’s most forward-thinking galleries, with a strong presence this year. They sold 70% of their booth by day 2!
Experimenter (Kolkata) – Continued to push conceptual and interdisciplinary practices with a keen curatorial vision.
Dhi Artspace (Hyderabad) – With IAF planning a commercial event in the city, it’s clear that collectors and galleries alike are shifting their gaze beyond Delhi and Mumbai.
KYNKYNY (Bengaluru) – A debut exhibitor worth watching, signaling Bengaluru’s growing presence in the scene.
David Zwirner & Lisson Gallery – Back at IAF after a hiatus, proving that India’s market is impossible to ignore.
Carpenters Workshop Gallery – Making its mark with a selection of work that blends fine art and furniture, it proves that design is now a serious player at the fair.
kó (Lagos) – A first-time exhibitor bringing fresh African perspectives to the fair.
Installation view at Nature Morte Booth A1 at India Art Fair 2025. Source: Nature Morte.
Collector Trends to Watch
Millennials are Driving the Contemporary Market – The art-buying demographic is getting younger, and they’re not just after Modern masters anymore. Contemporary artists are seeing a significant uptick in sales, with digital-savvy collectors making informed purchases.
Emerging artists are finally gaining ground – Even the big collectors like Kiran Nadar are all about discovering fresh talent. Better late than never, right?
Regional markets are growing – With IAF’s expansion into tier-two and tier-three cities, expect to see more buying power emerging from places beyond Delhi and Mumbai. Hyderabad, for instance, is on the brink of a major art market breakthrough.
Textile art is having a moment – The new Chanakya Foundation x IAF Textile Art Prize (a first in India) cements its status as a serious contemporary medium.
Design is the new frontier – With an expanded design section, IAF is looking to do for collectible design what it did for contemporary art over the last 16 years.
Installation view of Studio Raw Material Booth I01 at India Art Fair 2025. Source: India Art Fair.
What to Do Now?
Follow the artists & galleries – Instagram is your best friend.
Visit gallery shows – The momentum doesn’t stop just because the fair is over. Many of these artists will have solo exhibitions in the coming months—don’t miss them.
Keep an eye on auctions – If you’re considering starting a collection, watching upcoming auctions is a great way to gauge the market.
Engage with emerging spaces – Keep tabs on spaces in Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata as they build their presence.
Mark your calendars – Jodhpur Arts Week, Art Mumbai and Kochi-Muziris Biennale are coming up later this year, and if this fair season taught us anything, it’s that India’s art world is only getting bigger.
Check out our February art calendar to see what’s on in your city.
