Chennai will host one of its largest collaborative contemporary art initiatives this August as Contemporary Now · Edition III returns from 8 to 25 August 2026, bringing together 66 artists, seven leading galleries and more than 15 public programmes across the city. Anchored at Lalit Kala Akademi, the exhibition extends into more than 10 partner venues, offering exhibitions, artist walkthroughs, panel discussions, workshops and open houses that collectively position Chennai as a significant destination for contemporary art.
A Collaborative Platform for Contemporary Art
Conceived as a platform for dialogue, discovery and exchange, Contemporary Now has evolved into a recurring collaborative exhibition bringing together leading Indian galleries and diverse artistic practices. The third edition is organised around the curatorial theme “Practices in Continuum: Tracing the Present,” examining how artistic practices evolve over time while engaging with questions surrounding memory, migration, ecology, politics, identity and materiality. According to the organisers, the exhibition presents artworks as part of broader artistic journeys rather than isolated objects, encouraging visitors to explore the ideas shaping contemporary life.
Seven Galleries Present 66 Artists
This year’s edition features participation from Ashvita’s, Chemould Prescott Road, Chatterjee & Lal, Experimenter, Project 88, TARQ and Vadehra Art Gallery, representing 66 artists working across painting, sculpture, photography, textiles and mixed media. The exhibition builds on the collaborative format introduced in previous editions, which has sought to bring multiple gallery programmes together within a shared curatorial framework. Contemporary Now first emerged as a collaborative initiative and has steadily expanded in scale, reflecting growing cooperation among India’s contemporary art galleries.
City-wide Exhibitions and Public Programmes
Beyond the main exhibition, Contemporary Now extends into Chennai through a series of parallel events designed to engage wider audiences.
Highlights include:
- Continuiverse: Sculptures by C. Krishnaswamy
- George K’s studio exhibition I Have a Dream
- Madras Abstraction
- Masters in Madras
- In Dialogue with Nature: Limited Edition Photographs & Portfolios
- Artist walkthrough with K. Benitha Perciyal
- Open House at Ashvita’s Archival and Conservation Centre
The programme reflects the organisers’ intention to connect audiences with artists, galleries and cultural institutions through multiple formats beyond the conventional exhibition experience.
Conversations on Art, Patronage and Publishing
Alongside the exhibitions, Contemporary Now will host discussions exploring issues influencing India’s contemporary art ecosystem.
The conversations programme includes:
- From Mylapore to Mumbai (and Beyond): The Cultural South in the Context of Contemporary Art
- On Patronage: Public Impact, Private Collections
- The Many Lives of the Photobook: A Contemporary Lens to Publishing Practices & Shared Futures
These sessions bring together artists, curators, collectors and cultural practitioners to examine the evolving relationship between artistic production, institutions and public engagement.
Chennai’s Growing Role in Contemporary Art
The exhibition also reflects Chennai’s expanding presence within India’s contemporary art landscape. Local institutions such as Ashvita’s, established in 2002, have played an important role in connecting the city’s artistic traditions with contemporary practices through exhibitions, research and collaborations. Recent editions of Contemporary Now have similarly positioned Chennai as a venue for national-level gallery collaborations, bringing together diverse artistic voices for local audiences.
Visitor information
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Contemporary Now · Edition III |
| Theme | Practices in Continuum: Tracing the Present |
| Venue | Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai, with partner programmes across 10+ venues |
| City | Chennai |
| Opening Date | 8 August 2026 |
| Exhibition Dates | 8 August – 25 August 2026 |
| Participating Galleries | Ashvita’s, Chemould Prescott Road, Chatterjee & Lal, Experimenter, Project 88, TARQ, Vadehra Art Gallery |
| Artists | 66 Artists |
| Organiser | Contemporary Now |
Details regarding visitor registration and schedules are expected to be available through the organisers’ official website.
Takeaway
The third edition of Contemporary Now demonstrates how collaborative exhibitions can broaden public engagement with contemporary art while strengthening connections between galleries, artists and audiences. By extending beyond a single venue into a city-wide cultural programme, the initiative offers visitors multiple opportunities to experience contemporary artistic practice and encourages wider conversations about the social, cultural and political ideas reflected in art today.
