Over the past decade, India Art Fair has evolved from a regional meeting point into a bellwether for South Asia’s cultural economy—one that reflects shifting artistic priorities, institutional confidence, and an increasingly global audience. Returning to New Delhi from February 5–8, 2026, the fair’s 17th edition arrives with its most expansive programming to date, bringing together a record number of exhibitors alongside new commissions, performance, design, and city-wide activations.
Hosted once again at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds, the 2026 edition convenes 133 exhibitors spanning modern and contemporary art, collectible design, institutions, and outdoor projects, reaffirming the fair’s role as a connective platform between local practices and international discourse. Alongside gallery presentations, the fair positions learning, accessibility, and cross-disciplinary dialogue at its core—extending beyond the booth model into talks, performances, and public installations that animate both the fairgrounds and the city at large.
Anish Kapoor, “Random Triangle Mirror,” 2018. Stainless steel resin, 149.5 × 149.5 × 20 cm. Photography by Dave Morgan London. Courtesy of the artist and Galleria Continua.
Fair Director Jaya Asokan describes this edition as a moment of outward expansion: “South Asian art is entering a new moment of possibility, and we are proud to have supported its evolution throughout the fair’s 17-year legacy. We look forward to bringing together institutional leaders, artists at every stage of their journeys, and the wider community in Delhi this February.”
A Record-Setting Gallery Lineup
Marcin Rusak “Resina Botanica Coffee Table Bronze 200 Brunswick Green,” 2024, resin, patinated bronze. Photography by Benjamin Baccarani. Courtesy of Carpenters Workshop Gallery.
With 133 exhibitors—including 94 galleries—the 2026 edition marks the fair’s largest presentation yet. Leading Indian galleries are joined by international names such as David Zwirner, Galleria Continua, neugerriemschneider, and Carpenters Workshop Gallery, underscoring the fair’s growing gravitational pull within the global art calendar.
Focused Solo Presentations in the Focus Section
Installation Shot of Project 88’s Booth at India Art Fair Editions+ Hyderabad. Courtesy of Project 88.
The Focus section sharpens attention on individual practices through curated solo booths, featuring artists such as Bharti Kher, Khadim Ali, Marina Abramović, and emerging voices from across South Asia. The result is a slower, more deliberate viewing experience within the fair’s broader rhythm.
Outdoor Projects That Address Ecology and Material
Lee Chae, “The Blue Flower,” 2024. Oil on canvas, 73.0 x 91.0 cm. Courtesy of Whitestone Gallery.
Large-scale outdoor commissions expand the fair beyond the halls, including Kulpreet Singh’s Extinction Archive, Paresh Maity’s monumental sculpture, and Judy Chicago’s participatory quilt What If Women Ruled the World? These works foreground questions of ecology, gender, and collective responsibility.
A Landmark Performance Art Programme
Morii Design, Large Scale Colorful Textile, 2024. Photography by Ezra Alcantra. Courtesy of Morii Design.
New for 2026, the fair debuts a major performance collaboration with HH Art Spaces, supported by Soho House. Featuring artists including Yuko Kaseki and Suman Sridhar, the programme treats performance as a form of care, ritual, and shared imagination—unfolding live across the fairgrounds.
Design Takes Center Stage
Wendell Castle, “Veiled in a Dream,” 2014. Bronze. Photography by Benjamin Baccarani. Courtesy of Carpenters Workshop Gallery.
India Art Fair’s Design section continues to grow, spotlighting studios that blur the boundaries between craft, architecture, and collectible design. From established practices to first-time participants, the section positions design as a critical parallel to contemporary art rather than a supporting act.
The Future Is Born of Art Commission
Ketaki Sarpotdar, “THERE IS NO NEED FOR A HUNDRED BEES TO GET A HUNDRED FLOWERS TO BLOOM,” 2026. Oil on canvas, 36 x 48 in. Image courtesy of Latitude 28.
Marking ten years of partnership with BMW India, the 2026 edition of The Future Is Born of Art commission moves to the fair’s facade. Awarded to Afrah Shafiq, the project explores embroidery, digital mediation, and storytelling at architectural scale.
Expanded Talks and Learning Programmes
T. Venkanna, “Burden,” 2025. Detail view. Oil on canvas, 96 x 192 x 1.8 in. Image Courtesy of Gallery Maskara.
Supported by JSW and curated under the theme What Makes Art Happen?, the Talks Programme brings together artists, museum directors, and thinkers addressing the infrastructures that shape art today. Parallel learning initiatives emphasize accessibility, bilingual tours, and multisensory engagement.
A City-Wide Cultural Ecosystem
Shalini Bhupal at Nature Mortes Booth. Image courtesy of subject.
Beyond the fairgrounds, New Delhi comes alive with parallel exhibitions at institutions including the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Modern Art, alongside landmark gallery shows—most notably Ai Weiwei’s first solo exhibition in India.
India Art Fair 2026: What to Know
Ricky Vasan, “Seven Negronis,” 2025. Oil on linen, 175 x 212.5 cm. Courtesy of Gallery Isa.
Dates: February 5–8, 2026
Location: NSIC Exhibition Grounds, New Delhi
VIP Preview: February 5, 11 AM–7 PM
Public Hours: February 7–8
Presenting Partner: BMW India
Website: indiaartfair.in
