Sanya Malik, the visionary Founder of Black Cube Gallery, is set to presents a showcase that brings together a remarkable selection of Modern and Contemporary artists in the 2025 edition of Art Mumbai. Scheduled from 13 to 16 November 2025, at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai (Booth C41), the gallery platform lists an exceptional roster of artists bridging Indian modernism and contemporary practice. The exhibition will feature modern masters like Krishen Khanna, Himmat Shah, and Madhvi Parekh, alongside contemporary voices such as Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi, Paul Kuntze, and Yashika Sugandh. This synchronization of artistic ethos dismantles the ramparts bounding the traditional ‘white cube’ spaces and promotes inclusivity and diverse practice of artistic engagement.
A Dialogue Across Generations
The gravitas of the legacy of the Progressive Artists’ Group is very well anchored in the vibe of this event. The work of Krishen Khanna offers a deep emotional perspective, as his work is noted for its poignant portrayals of humanity and social commentary. Similarly, Himmat Shah’s contributions, often monolithic and resonant bronze sculptures, present timeless explorations. Madhvi Parekh’s works add more intensity to it. Her folk-inspired yet fiercely contemporary visual language is rooted in memory, mythology, and her early rural experiences in Gujarat. Complementing all of them stands Thota Vaikuntam, whose work is noted for the vivid depictions of rural Telangana.
On the contemporary edge, Phaneendra Chaturvedi is building a niche with works that interrogate the human condition through allegories. Yashika Sugandh’s functional art adds yet another layer, as she describes how art infuses life, and life reflects art. As Sanya Malik has said, the goal is to break down barriers of accessibility, to host “spaces that adapt and shift” according to the art, rather than expecting the art to conform to rigid gallery norms.
Event Details
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Art Mumbai 2025 |
| Event Dates | 13–16 November 2025 |
| Location | Booth C41, Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai |
| Curator | Sanya Malik, Founder of Black Cube Gallery |
| Core Theme | Dialogue across generations, mediums, and materials; bridging tradition and innovation. |
| Mediums Featured | Painting, Sculpture, Embroidery, Jewellery, Functional Art |
Key Highlights
- The presence of Krishen Khanna, one of India’s most venerable artists, whose deeply human figurative works trace a life in art from the Partition era to contemporary times.
- Thota Vaikuntam’s vibrant representations of rural Telangana life, now pushed into sculptural or jewellery‐inspired works that reinterpret his signature female figures.
- Himmat Shah, recent passing aside, offers sculptural investigations that fuse proto‐historic iconography with modern abstraction.
- Madhvi Parekh’s work—rooted in folk memory, mythology, and daily ritual—provides lyrical depth and continues to speak across generations.
- On the contemporary front: Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi’s evocative figuration probing dystopian or transitional landscapes; Paul Kuntze’s reinterpretation of Baroque frescoes in a contemporary idiom; and Yashika Sugandh’s functional artworks (such as jewellery or crafted forms) that blur the boundary between design and art.
- Black Cube’s curatorial model: Sanya Malik has spoken of the gallery’s mission to make art accessible, create flexible spaces rather than a fixed “white cube”, and enable new engagements between viewer and work.
Why This Exhibition Matters?
Firstly, the inclusivity exhibited through the able curation places the modern practitioners and veterans on the same plane. Secondly, the choice of media ranges from embroidery, jewellery, functional art, alongside painting and sculpture, emphasising the fluidity of art. Thirdly, Black Cube’s virtue of accessibility and flexible space is very compatible with a city like Mumbai, where art is still desired by the masses as a part of their lives. For the general audience, the event makes a promise to enroute a rare journey of artistic mastery across generations.
Takeaway
The exhibition by ART Mumbai is a curated microcosm of Indian art. This is not simply a collection of renowned faces but a construction of a continuity of Indian art. By placing an embroidered piece next to a bronze sculpture and functional art, viewers are put into a well-paved lane that absorbs the eye-pleasing fine art and craft equally. By bringing juxtaposing concepts together, the exhibition definitely values depth over hype.
