Meet the galleries making their ART MUMBAI debut this November

ART MUMBAI returns to the Mahalaxmi Racecourse from November 12 to 15 for its fourth edition, bringing together 94 exhibitors, including 73 Indian and 21 international galleries. Since its launch in 2023, the fair has steadily grown into an important meeting point for artists, collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts. This year, its expanding roster also makes room for several new voices, with 11 Indian galleries joining the fair for the first time and six international galleries making their debut at an art fair in India.

Among the first-time exhibitors are established names with decades of history, independent art spaces, and international galleries with a presence across major art capitals. Their presentations range from Indian modernism and historical collections to experimental contemporary practices. Here's a closer look at 10 galleries making their debut at ART MUMBAI 2026 and what they are bringing to the fair.

Kumar Gallery, New Delhi

With a history dating back to 1955, Kumar Gallery has played an important role in supporting modern Indian artists, particularly those who experimented with abstract art. Its presentation at ART MUMBAI revisits one of the significant moments in this history. In 1963, the gallery organised 'Fourteen Leading Abstractionists', an exhibition that brought together several important names in Indian abstraction.

As Sonali Kumar, director of Kumar Gallery, explains, "The booth holds that moment in microcosm. It is led by Akbar Padamsee's rare 1962 masterpiece, Abstract Cityscape, which dissolves the city into panes of glowing ochre and shadow. It will be presented alongside an SH Raza work from 1960, the year he moved towards pure abstraction." The selection also includes MF Husain's Young Head (1964), which was exhibited at the 1965 São Paulo Biennial, and FN Souza's Nude Rain (1966). An important work by GR Santosh, depicting Shiva meditating on Mount Kailash, brings the Neo-Tantra movement into the presentation.

Phillips Antiques, Mumbai

Phillips Antiques is bringing together objects that offer different perspectives on India's artistic and cultural history. Its booth will feature botanical studies, monumental maps of India, hand-painted portraits, early photographs, embroidered textiles, and ritual sculptures.

One of the highlights is a scarce 1883 Rainfall Map of India. As Faisal Issa of Phillips Antiques explains, "The map's deepening blue shades give it an almost abstract quality when viewed from a distance. A closer look, however, reveals how monsoon forecasting became a form of governance in India." Reflecting on the work's relevance today, Issa says, "This year, as the rains faltered across India, the chart felt as current as the day it was made."

Gallery Veda, Chennai

Gallery Veda's presentation includes a 1953 acrylic on paper by KCS Panicker, a work that offers a glimpse into the artist's early exploration of the human form. For Preeti Garg, director of Gallery Veda, the appeal lies in the intimacy of the figure, expressed through expressive brushwork, earthy tones, and a quiet, introspective presence.

"What draws us to this work is its rawness and immediacy," Garg explains. Rather than relying on elaborate detail, Panicker allows the character of the figure to emerge through gesture, line, and the interplay of light and shadow. For the gallery, the work reflects the importance of looking closely at an artist's journey and appreciating the moments of experimentation and discovery that shape a larger practice.

Great Banyan Art, New Delhi

Making its first appearance at an art fair in India, Great Banyan Art brings an extensive collection spanning Indian modernism and international contemporary art. Founded by collectors Neeraj and Radhika Batra, the gallery's collection includes works by important Indian modernists such as FN Souza, Tyeb Mehta, VS Gaitonde, Amrita Sher-Gil, and SH Raza. Its wider programme also explores African art, Pop Art, Street Art, and contemporary practices from across the world. Its participation adds another international dimension to the fair's growing roster.

Gallery Maskara, Mumbai

Gallery Maskara is bringing together works by artists from across its roster, offering visitors a glimpse into the breadth and diversity of its programme. The presentation includes Kundan Mondal, Lakshmi Nivas Collective, Madhu Das, Parag Sonarghare, Prashant Pandey, Priyanka Choudhary, and T Venkanna.

Rather than organising the showcase around a particular theme, the gallery has chosen to let the artists' individual voices coexist. Abhay Maskara explains, "While their practices differ in medium, material, and artistic language, they share a commitment to pursuing their ideas on their own terms. The presentation also reflects the spirit of the gallery and the relationships it has built with its artists over the past 20 years."

Fulcrum, Mumbai

Founded in 2025 by Ayesha Aggarwal, Fulcrum is an interdisciplinary cultural space that brings together art, film, history, politics, and critical thought. Its debut at ART MUMBAI offers an opportunity to introduce its programme to a wider audience. The Mumbai-based space works across different creative disciplines, encouraging conversations around contemporary culture and artistic expression. Its participation adds another perspective to the city's growing gallery landscape.

Richard Saltoun Gallery, London, Rome, and New York

Richard Saltoun Gallery is making its first appearance at an art fair in India. With spaces in London, Rome, and New York, the gallery is known for its focus on women artists, feminist art, and avant-garde practices. Its programme spans modern and contemporary artists, with an emphasis on bringing greater recognition to historically overlooked voices and preserving important artistic legacies. 

Rizq Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi

Based in Abu Dhabi, Rizq Art Gallery is another international exhibitor making its first appearance at an art fair in India. The gallery works with artists from different cultural backgrounds and brings a perspective shaped by the wider Middle Eastern and international art scene. Its participation adds to the growing exchange between India's art ecosystem and galleries operating across the region.

Niru Ratnam, London

London-based Niru Ratnam is making its Indian art fair debut at ART MUMBAI. The gallery's programme spans painting, film, installation, photography, and sculpture, with artists exploring themes such as identity, representation, gender, sexuality, and class. Its presentation brings a contemporary international perspective to the fair, adding to the range of artistic practices represented this year.

Perrotin, Paris, and beyond

One of the significant international additions to this year's fair is Perrotin, the gallery founded by Emmanuel Perrotin in 1990. With spaces across Paris, London, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Dubai, it has built an extensive international presence. The gallery represents established and emerging artists working across contemporary art practices. Its participation in ART MUMBAI marks its first appearance at an art fair in India.

ART MUMBAI 2026 will also feature a programme of talks, guided walks, sculpture presentations, performances, and cultural events. With its mix of established galleries, new exhibitors, and international participants, this year's edition offers visitors an opportunity to discover different artistic practices and engage with the evolving landscape of modern and contemporary art.

Lead image: Getty Images

Inside images: Phillips Antiques and Gallery Veda

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