The traditional boundaries of fine art are officially cracking, and a fearless new wave is taking over.
Curators Ritu Chopra and Vikas Singh of Tela Art Gallery are set to disrupt the scene with ‘Up Next: A New Wave of Contemporary Art’. Running from 22nd to 28th September 2026 at the Nehru Centre AC Art Gallery in Worli, Mumbai, this exhibition brings together 15 artists pushing past medium-specific boundaries to answer one burning question: What is the new language of contemporary art today? [1]
If you think you know what modern Indian art looks like, think again. Here is why this specific show is a must-visit cultural moment.
1. The Power of 108: A Sacred, Modular Masterpiece
One of the absolute anchors of the exhibition is a massive modular artwork made of 108 individual small canvases.
Separately, each piece is a complete work featuring gestural motifs in rich ochres, terracotta, deep greens, and earthy browns. But when pieced together, they morph into a single monumental composition of three rising, temple-like forms. Rooted heavily in Indian spiritual and ritual traditions, the number 108 transforms the act of viewing into a form of visual meditation. It is an incredible study of how individual fragments can unite to build a shrine-like community landscape.
2. Softness Turned Architecture: The Textile Rebellion
In a massive departure from traditional wall-hanging crafts, the exhibition features a towering textile installation that demands physical presence.
By blending fibre, weave, found fabric, and intense hand processes like sewing and knitting, the artist transforms soft materials into commanding architecture. It physically changes how you move through the gallery space, forcing a conversation around labour, memory, sustainability, and gender. It is proof that materials traditionally associated with the domestic space have officially claimed their throne in fine art.
3. The Metros No Longer Dictate the Rules
Perhaps the most exciting element of Up Next is its geographical defiance. For decades, the artistic narrative was heavily controlled by a few major metropolitan hubs. This show proves that the center has dissolved.
While the international contingent brings perspectives from Norway, Russia, and the USA, the Indian creators span far beyond the usual spots, hailing from:
- Guwahati
- Aurangabad
- Baroda
- Gurugram
- Bengaluru
- Pune
- Mumbai
“Contemporary Indian art is no longer defined by just a few metros or one aesthetic. We are seeing fearless experimentation, a return to slow, handmade processes like ink and textile, alongside bold abstract vocabularies that are globally resonant yet very rooted.”
— Ritu Chopra, Curator [1]
An Intergenerational Dialogue
Spanning 45 to 50 works, the gallery will be alive with abstract paintings, meditative ink works, mixed media, impasto, and modern devotional styles. Because the participating artists range from fresh, early-career creators in their mid-20s to seasoned masters in their 50s, the room serves as a literal bridge between generations.
This isn’t just a static display of pretty frames; it is an active launchpad for the exact practices that will define “contemporary” for the next decade.
📅 Plan Your Visit
Don’t miss the chance to see these trailblazing practices live.
- 📍 Venue: Nehru Centre AC Art Gallery, Worli, Mumbai [1]
- 🗓️ Dates: 22nd to 28th September 2026 [1]
- ⏰ Timings: Daily, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM [1]
- 🎟️ Entry: Open to the public [1]
Featured Artists to Watch: Meena Yadav, Rita Chhawchharia, Puja Kumari, Rakhee Shah, Tithi Arekar, Bhavna Madhani, Nidhi Charan, Amita Goswami, Kalpesh Chavan, Rachna Kedia, Shweta Badhani, Kailas Kale, Cheena Madan, Rakhii Baid, and Olga Vikhonina.