Each year, the India Art Fair brings together the very best in the art world. The 2017 edition saw more than 70 galleries from India and around the world participate, and bring forth an enviable display of paintings, sculpture, photography, installations and other art forms. Here is Artisera’s pick of 20 works of art (in no particular order), that we absolutely loved!

1. Luci di Nara by Igor Mitoraj

Galeria Joan Gasper from Spain displayed this absolutely stunning iron sculpture by renowned Polish artist Igor Mitoraj, titled ‘Luci di Nara’.

2. Akbar Padamsee Metascape

An exquisite masterpiece in stunning colours, this 2016 creation by one of India’s most expensive and renowned artists, Akbar Padamsee, was his typical abstract ‘metascape’, displayed at the Vadehra Art gallery booth.

3. All the Flowers Are For Me Installation

Aicon Gallery from New York brought All The Flowers Are For Me, by artist Anila Quayyum Agha, for the first time to India. This installation has won many awards and travelled to exhibitions worldwide. Made with stainless steel, the object is painted with delicate cut patterns that reflect and refract light.

4. Peace Owners by Sunil Sigdel

Displayed at the Nepal Art Council booth, this clever artwork is a satire on the current global political situation. Nepalese artist Sunil Sigdel portrays Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un in a piece titled ‘Peace Owners’.

5. Sculptures by Nantu Behari Das

A noted sculptor from Bengal, Nantu Behari Das’s creations are unique. He uses fiber glass, alpins, screws and other interesting materials to create extremely eye-catching and sometimes child-like sculptures. We spotted two of his creations at the Gallerie Nvya booth, one made with coloured alpins depicting a Buddha wearing a helmet, and the other depicting a child made with screws!

6. Jonas Burgert’s Masterpiece

Galerie ISA from Mumbai, one of the only galleries in India that carries the works of European artists, presented this absolutely stunning work by renowned German artist, Jonas Burgert, whose paintings are part of private as well as museum collections around the world. The artist is known for depicting human beings as unique, distorted creatures, that look familiar, yet fantastical. 

7. Krishen Khanna’s Bandwallahs

With its soothing colours, portrayal of musicians, and signature brushstrokes, there was no mistaking this absolutely beautiful 2017 painting by master artist Krishen Khanna, titled ‘Bandwallahs’, brought to the fair by London’s Grosvenor Gallery.  

8. Subodh Gupta’s creation for Absolut

One of India’s leading contemporary artists, Subodh Gupta uses ordinary steel kitchen utensils to create stunning sculptures. At the India Art Fair, he created an Absolut Vodka bottle, in his own distinct style, making for an interesting installation.

9. MF Husain’s 1999 Masterpiece

It’s easy to spot a M.F. Husain from a distance, due to the sheer brilliance of his strokes. But with this gigantic artwork, over 15 feet in height, one could literally see it from a mile away! Displayed at the DAG Modern booth, this is one of Husain’s biggest creations, made by him in 1999.

10. Art on a Carpet

The Villa del Arte gallery from Spain brought to us an absolutely breathtaking creation by Christiaan Lieverse, who painted a haunting portrait of a lady, titled Centaurea, with oil and acrylics on a hand knotted carpet!

11. Riyas Komu’s Lion Capital Installation

Noted artist Riyas Komu made a strong political and social statement with his profound installation seen at the Vadehra Gallery booth, which depicted the Lion Capital of Ashoka in motion. When seen on the currency notes, one can only view three of the Asian lions, and the artist interprets the hidden lion as the government, whose actions or intent are possibility unknown, and invisible. Placed on what is inspired by the prayer wheels of Buddhism, the pieces, when in motion, made a gritting sound, reminiscent of the hardships faced by small scale industries that suffer at the hands of the government.

12. The Last Supper

Noted artist Madhvi Parekh reimagined the famous masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci. In this massive 20 feet long artwork, compromising of five panels, Madhvi has painted her version of ‘The Last Supper’ using the reverse painting on acrylic technique, which gives the artwork a glossy shine.

13. Rohit Chawla’s Photography

Displayed at the Tasveer booth was a collection from acclaimed photographer Rohit Chawla, who has shot pictures of well-known women in settings inspired by, and recreating, famous Raja Ravi Varma paintings.

14. Life Lines by Viveek Sharma

On display at the Galerie Nvya booth, this powerful canvas by established artist Viveek Sharma, titled Life Lines, was striking for its bold colours, and realistic depiction.  

15. Jamini Roy

While any Jamini Roy painting by itself is worthy of attention, this specific display at the DAG Modern booth was exceptionally heart warming. A 3-D replica was created next to the Bengal master’s original, to help those who are visually impaired, to understand, imagine, and enjoy the artwork.  

16. Arun Pandit’s Bull Sculpture

On display at the Art Heritage booth, this striking sculpture of a multi-faced bull by Arun Pandit stood out for its exquisite craftsmanship as well as the eye catching subject.  

17. Thota Vaikuntam’s Portrayal of Telangana People

Famed for his portrayal of the rural people of Telangana, renowned artist Thota Vaikuntam has, in this artwork, used his typical style and vibrant colours to create an exquisite work of art, displayed at the Galerie Nvya booth.  

18. Paresh Maity Sculpture

Although known most for his vibrant and gorgeous paintings, the talented and world-renowned artist Paresh Maity’s sculptures are also masterpieces. This beautiful sculpture with the face of a lady and the wings of a butterfly, sits on what reminds one of a child’s rocking horse.

19. G.R. Santosh’s Striking Canvasses

Sanchit Art Gallery was one of the only galleries carrying a collection of works from just one artist – the highly acclaimed G.R. Santosh, whose works were heavily inspired by Kashmir Shaivism. Each artwork on display was bold, vibrant, and held the viewer’s attention.

20. Manjit Bawa

An absolutely classic Manjit Bawa masterpiece was displayed at the DAG Modern booth, in his signature polished and smooth red, depicting Lord Krishna amidst villagers and cattle.