This year, several of Delhi’s most esteemed art galleries are observing significant anniversaries, underscoring the city’s rising status as a cultural hub. Among them, Gallery Espace, founded in 1989 by Renu Modi, celebrates its 35th year. Reflecting on its early days, Modi recalls opening her first show with MF Husain’s watercolours—Husain even designed the gallery’s iconic galloping-horse logo.
What began as an informal creative space has blossomed into a thriving platform witnessing artists’ journeys from fledgling graduates to renowned names like B Manjunath Kamath and G R Iranna. Modi plans to open a third floor dubbed “Espace Project Space” to explore experimental and interdisciplinary exhibits, continuing her longstanding commitment to art education.
Meanwhile, Arushi Arts marks 25 years with its annual “Harvest” exhibition, which is being hosted this time at Hyderabad’s Salar Jung Museum. The multi-gallery showcase will present works from established modern and contemporary artists alongside folk artisans and emerging talents—a celebration of inclusivity across the art spectrum.
Gallerie Nvya, celebrating 21 years, launched “21: Memories & Milestones From Then to Now” at Bikaner House. Artistic highlights include a richly curated display featuring SH Raza’s bindu, Krishen Khanna’s expressive bandwallas, and emotionally resonant pieces by Paresh Maity and Manu Parekh.
With 15 years under its belt, Exhibit 320 continues its legacy as a hub for experimentation. Its recent exhibit, “Shared Worlds,” brought together textile art by Yasmin Jahan Nupur, vintage-photo sculptures by Nandan Ghiya, and innovative fabric columns by Sumakshi Singh, inviting viewers into layered narratives of memory and identity.
And while Art Alive Gallery inches closer to its 25th anniversary next year, director Sunaina Anand notes a seismic shift: Delhi has transformed from being overshadowed by Mumbai to becoming a powerhouse of art programming, events like India Art Fair and Delhi Art Week, and a new generation of discerning audiences and collectors.
