India

Mumbai

Mumbai-based creative Mihir Thakkar is truly a multi-hyphenate who has several strings to his bow.

In the formative years of his career, Thakkar trained as an architect and pursued his interests in art production and management. Now, he's currently the lead for curated projects at the New Delhi and Berlin-based company XXL Collective – a global network of artists.

As someone whose foray lies in visual forms and guiding artists, Thakkar is always up for a conversation about art and life, and he brings an infectious energy to his work. In the guide below, he shares his knowledge on the galleries around Mumbai you should make time for.

The Dirty Magazine

The youngest and hippest gallery on the block, Art and Charlie has elevated the cultural scene in Bandra since its inception. With a diverse and regular programme, this gallery has become a social hub for all kinds of art forms and art lovers. Do check their programme of the week before making a visit. P.S. – it also houses the smallest coffee shop in the country!

Possibly the gallery I am most biased towards, run by the kindest Hena Kapadia. The gallery’s focus is on artists with young practices and also actively encourages participation from young collectors. I, too, bought my first artwork from TARQ and am always keenly looking forward to their next show. Their programme is equally engaging and wholesome​​. They also have a very inviting library.

The most prominent gallery of them all, Chemould Prescott Road represents some of the finest artists of the Indian subcontinent. This year, the gallery celebrates its 60th year in September with two thoroughly researched shows on the gallery’s history, curated by the warmest Shaleen Wadhwana.

Run by the sweetest sisters Priya and Amrita, this gallery is situated at a prime location behind The Taj Hotel, from whose window you get a beautiful uninterrupted view of the Gateway of India. The gallery also has the friendliest galerina, Cola. Do swing by for a warm welcoming bark and some truly mesmerising art.

New to the Bombay art scene, this Kolkata gallery brings us some bright contemporary artists and very interestingly curated shows. The gallery is committed to supporting various art practitioners with their thoroughly curated intensive annual programming. Always keep a close eye on what they are up to next.

Jehangir Nicholson Arts Foundation is a testimony to the importance of patronship and provenance. A private collection now housed in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), it has some spectacular rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. It is a great one day outing for anybody who would like to immerse themselves in Indian art in a beautiful setting.

The only design-centric gallery in the art scene, this is a result of combined efforts between two powerhouses: the Baromarket and Chatterjee & Lal Gallery. Nestled amidst the heritage precinct of old Portuguese houses Khotachiwadi, this gallery has proved to be a catalyst for the neighbourhood and Indian art and design world alike. You would tend to spend equal amounts of time inside and outside the gallery, given the gorgeous bungalows it surrounds itself with.

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A Guide to Art Galleries in Mumbai by Mihir Thakkar

Chemould Prescott Road

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