Roundup From India Art Fair 2019

The 11th edition of India Art Fair (IAF)—the foremost platform for modern and contemporary South Asian art—took over New Delhi from January 31 to February 3. In terms of presentation and layout, the 2019 iteration was generally more considered than in 2018, and, for the most part, was free of the garish spectacle-pieces that often find their way into art fair booths. With 75 participating galleries compared to 78 in 2018, there were fewer dealers displaying their wares, but the proportion from South Asia and the number of South Asian artists represented was greater than ever, supporting IAF’s claim that it champions the region and its growing market. Fair director Jagdip Jagpal—now in her second year at the helm—even went so far as to say at the preview that one of her team’s biggest worries was that too much space was being given to Indian galleries—presumably in excess of the 70 percent that they had originally committed to. 

• India