Top arttractions

The eighth edition of the four-day India Art Fair began in the capital on Thursday. With over 70 participating galleries and numerous collateral shows across the city, we bring to you an A-to-Z guide on what not to miss at this year’s art extravaganza.

A Avijit Dutta

This young and dynamic Kolkata-based artist showcases his quest for human expressions drawn from his personal feelings and drawn into his realistic and figurative work.

B BMW Art Car The project aims to demonstrate the perfect synthesis of artistic expression and automobile design. On display is a work by César Manrique at the BWM booth.

C Crayon Art Gallery The gallery is representing a collection of pop works by established artists and modern masters. The ‘untitled Nandi’ by Arunkumar H.G. is definitely a crowd puller at booth number B17. Turn to Page 28-29

D Delhi Art Gallery A must-visit pavilion, they are displaying some of the most iconic artworks of Indian modern masters like Amrita Sher-Gil, M V Dhurandhar, Jamini Roy, G R Santosh, M F Husain and F N Souza. Booth number G1 and H1.

E Edible Maps An interesting session during the fair wherein UK-based artist duo Cooking Sections will talk about how desire, speculation and landscapes operate in their artistic practice through the remains of the British Empire.

F Fantasy Gallery Ganesha is celebrating the role of fantasy in its group show titled ‘Implausible Reality’ at booth number E3. With their heightened imagination and unique power of observation, the artists in the show visualise reality in a way quite different from our perception of the same.

G Game of Cards ‘Deck of Cards’ is a show hosted at the British Council as part of the collateral event. This interactive show will feature 55 British and 55 Indian artists. The viewers will have to guess whose work is whose in this show.

H Heads It’s all in the head! A group of artists present their interpretations of life and our surroundings using heads. Each artist has talked about an interesting aspect of life like devotion, pollution, fight with the self and more.

I Imaginart Gallery The gallery is showcasing a playful woven sculpture by Brazilian artist Mozart Guerra. His highly textured piece appeals to both the visual and tactile senses. Booth number D5.

J Jamini Roy If you love folk arts of Bengal then we are sure you will love some rare and unseen work of Jamini Roy on display at booth number E6, E10, G1 and H1.

K Khoj International Artists’ Association ‘Level –01’ is an exhibition of seven digital and board art games showcased as a collateral event of India Art Fair 2016. Indian artists have made these experimental art games based on diverse backgrounds — architecture, visual arts, literature, filmmaking and game development — taking part in the global conversation on independent game development and art games.

L L. N. Tallur His sculpture titled ‘How Cow Wow .! 2016’, is inspired by the story of Ghandaberunda. Presented by Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai, it is showcased right outside, near the Caara food stall.

M: M.F. Husian Want to see more works of this legendary artist, but no more horses Then this is the right place to be. Galleries are showcasing some of his unseen works like ‘In the name of the mother’ and an untitled work of two painted relief panels mounted with toys at booths number B9, B17, E2, E5, E9, E10, G1 and H1.

N: No Title Artist Sakshi Gupta’s sculptural work titled ‘No Title’ from the series ‘Become the wind’ is a project investigating the transformation of one group of living things into another. Booth number P1.

O One Million Dollars Mondo Galeria presents an installation by artist Alberto Echegaray Guevara called ‘Money Talks’. The work is created using a transparent blown Murano glass globe containing authentic $1,000,000 completely destroyed, presenting a twist on his experimentations with symbolism and energy. Booth number D3.

P Publica The second edition of Publica will present a series of visual and performance based installations created by a range of artists who will create visually engaging, dynamic pieces of public art. This is also a collateral event.

Q Question session The Speaker’s Forum at the fair aims to promote cultural discourse in South Asia and provide a platform for discussion on art and its meaning.

R Rukshaan Art This Mumbai gallery is showcasing work by two artists, Ketan Amin and Ambu Rathwa, themed around ‘The Stainless Idioms’ at booth number D6.

S Sold There were many takers for good and interesting artworks while Sudip Roy got a commissioned work based on his piece on display at Gallerie Alternative (booth number F2), Megha Joshi’s ‘The Wounded II’ at Art Konsult was picked up immediately by a collector from booth number F7.

T Tayeba Begum Lipi This Bangladeshi artist has gained popularity in India for her unusual choice of media. Her razor blade stainless steel sculpture titled ‘Miles after Miles’ definitely caught the viewer’s attention at booth number C8.

U UBIK He is a Dubai-based Indian artist who experiments with a variety of media with a relative ideology of chaos. His works render the absurdity of the world order and comment on the machinated playgrounds of human cliches, in a sarcastic and realistic way. Booth number A4

V Val French artist Val’s bronze sculptures are fun and intriguing for the viewers. Most of her works are based on two themes — the formidable ability of man to question himself in pursuance of a better living of his destiny and the strength and beauty of the vital impulse of the nature. Booth number B19.

W Wasli Technique The artistic delicacy of Pichvai work using Wasli technique is a must see for all Art Fair visitors. Pichvai — Tradition and Beyond is an initiative to revisit and revive this art form, making it more accessible to the public. Booth number F4

X X-ray work Booth number P9 will surely transport the viewer to the medieval era with Wim Delvoye’s sculpture ‘Chapel’. The art piece is made from laser cut steel in the style of a 17th century Flemish Baroque church using traditional medieval craftsmanship. He has applied thousands of X-rays to the structure’s windows along with stained glass techniques to create a macabre yet beautiful work.

Z Zain Masud The International Director of this year’s fair who brings her experience within the art scenes of the Middle East, South Asia, Russia, China and Africa, alongside her extensive networks within the Western art world.

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