Abirpothi

The Four Galleries Debuting at India Art Fair 2025

The logo of four art galleries set along the backdrop of Delhi

New Galleries at IAF Showcasing Contemporary Art in India

The India Art Fair (IAF) 2025, one of the biggest contemporary art exhibitions has already promised to be a captivating celebration of international and Indian art. Known to host emerging contemporary artists, this year’s edition welcomes four exciting new galleries. These galleries — Ashvita’s from Chennai, from Lagos, Masha Art from New Delhi, and Unit7 / Prahlad Bubbar from London — reflect the modern art trends in 2025, each adding its unique voice to the ever-evolving dialogue.

1. Ashvita’s (Chennai)

Ashvita’s is a fine art gallery situated in Chennai, dedicated to the Madras School of Art. The gallery reflects the three centuries of local artistic evolution and practices. Founded in 2002 by Ashvin E. Rajagopalan, Ashvita’s focuses on Indian art and collectables. They also run an online auction platform, where they have conducted 35 auctions thus far, boosting the careers of multiple contemporary Indian artists.

Ashvita's Art Gallery
Courtesy – Ashivitas India

The organization has engendered cultural programming and events with critics, art historians, and artists, in the form of public lectures, film screenings, performances, studio tours, and workshops. Ashvita’s has expanded its reach to Chennai, Mumbai, and New Delhi.

2. kó (Lagos)

kó is an international debutant at the India Art Fair 2025. The art space located in Lagos, Nigeria, promotes modern and contemporary art. They support Nigeria’s prominent figurative art in modern times by honouring both emerging and established contemporary artists throughout Africa and its Diaspora.

ko art Gallery
Courtesy – India Art Fair

Founded by Kavita Chellaram, an art collector and the creator of Arthouse Contemporary, she chose kó as it means ‘to gather’ or ‘to build’ in the Yoruba language. They nurture the creativity of contemporary art in Africa by offering a platform for communication, sharing, and growth. Kó has participated in numerous prolific art events, fairs, and contemporary art exhibitions such as Untitled Art Miami Beach, Art X Lagos, Abu Dhabi Art, Frieze Masters, and The Armory Show.

3. Masha Art (New Delhi)

Since launching in 2018, Samarth Mathur has positioned Masha Art at the forefront of luxury art investment, striving to make contemporary art in India accessible to all enthusiasts. The New Delhi and Gurugram-based art advisory has a humungous collection, a dazzling assortment of over 2,000 carefully curated pieces. These dazzling modern and contemporary artworks and sculptures have been made by celebrated masters, experienced artists, and emerging talents from India and around the world.

Masha Art Gallery
Courtesy – Justdial

Masha Art is known to foster tailored client relationships and support emerging contemporary artists. They customize their services with bespoke buyback programs, personalized curations, and both in-home and virtual exhibitions. They have hosted Sanjay Chakraborty’s Timestamps, A Viswam’s Elemental, Francesca Amalia Grimaldi’s Metamorphosis, and Muzaffar Ali’s Mystic Journeys in Art

4. Unit7./ Prahlad Bubbar (London)

With more than two decades of experience as a prominent authority in Classical Indian and Islamic art, along with a deep passion for contemporary Modern art and Design, Prahlad Bubbar has made significant contributions through meticulously organized exhibitions, scholarly publications, and notable sales to prestigious private collections and renowned museums.

Unit7./Prahlad Bubbar (London)
Courtesy – Todd White Art Photo

Prahlad Bubbar Gallery is a staple at Frieze Masters, the Asian Art Museum, and the MET. The gallery was established in 2010 and expanded in 2018 with Unit 7. In its first stint with India Art Fair, they are showcasing three emerging contemporary artists: Shubha Taparia, Mohamed Monaiseer, and Marta Roberti. They play with themes of materiality, transformation, cultural memory, and the complex connections between humanity, nature, and mythology.

What Does the Debut of These Galleries Mean

The inclusion of Ashvita’s, kó, Masha Art, and Unit7 / Prahlad Bubbar at India Art Fair 2025 is a testament to the event’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural exchange and providing an international platform for art. These galleries not only represent a variety of artistic traditions, but also reflect the growing global recognition of art from India, Africa, and South Asia.

By showcasing the work of established and emerging contemporary artists, these galleries help to break down traditional boundaries and promote art’s value. Their participation in India Art Fair 2025 is essentially a conversation about the role of art in today’s society.

Image Courtesy – Abir Pothi