Mumbai Gallery Weekend 2025: A Celebration of Art, Dialogue, and Community
Mumbai Gallery Weekend 2025 celebrates its 13th edition from 9-12 January, uniting 35 galleries with exhibitions, artist talks, and panel discussions, positioning Mumbai as a global art hub through collaboration, creativity, and cultural dialogue.
As the new year begins, Mumbai, India’s bustling cultural capital, is poised to host the 13th edition of the Mumbai Gallery Weekend (MGW). From 9 to 12 January 2025, MGW transforms the city into a dynamic hub for art enthusiasts, collectors, and connoisseurs, bringing together over 35 leading galleries in a celebration of contemporary art. With its combination of landmark exhibitions, guided walkthroughs, artist talks, and panel discussions, MGW cements Mumbai’s position as a pivotal force in the global art ecosystem.
Since its inception in 2012, MGW has grown into a vital platform for galleries to showcase their finest works and foster dialogue between artists, collectors, and the broader community. Shireen Gandhy of Chemould Prescott Road, one of the event’s key organisers, highlights this evolution:
“Mumbai Gallery Weekend enters its 13th year in 2025. From 2007/08, Bombay witnessed a gallery scene unseen in its history before. We started with a mere nine galleries; today, we have close to 35 galleries participating! MGW is a moment when every gallery in the city opens on the same day. The proliferation of exhibitions gives the city a cultural edge that is hard to replicate.”
This year’s edition builds on this spirit of collaboration, offering an ambitious slate of exhibitions and programmes that reflect the dynamism of the Indian and international art worlds.
A Journey Through Mumbai’s Galleries
The participating galleries have curated a stunning array of exhibitions, featuring works by renowned masters, mid-career artists, and exciting new talent.
At Chemould Prescott Road, Atul Dodiya’s Radio Ceylon Paintings: Vol. I takes centre stage. This deeply personal series is a reflection on the artist’s memories, inspired by the golden age of music and storytelling. The exhibition is a fitting example of Gandhy’s belief in MGW as a moment for galleries to present their most ambitious projects.
Art Musings, one of Mumbai’s leading galleries, celebrates its 25th anniversary with a group show featuring 15 of its most celebrated artists, including Anjolie Ela Menon, Sakti Burman, and Baiju Parthan. According to Sangeeta Raghavan, the gallery’s director, fostering meaningful conversations between artists and collectors is central to their mission:
“We have always encouraged a dialogue between the artist and the collector. It gives the collector an insight into the thought process of the artist, making the acquisition more meaningful.”
At TARQ, Soghra Khurasani’s solo exhibition Grounded takes viewers on a journey through intricate woodcut prints, exploring the delicate balance between humanity and nature. Founder Hena Kapadia sees MGW as a pivotal opportunity to connect artists and audiences:
“From the beginning, TARQ has made it a priority to connect artists directly with their audiences. We do this regularly through social media, in-person walkthroughs, and workshops with the artists. MGW has contributed immensely to building a sense of community within the art world.”
Experimenter, Colaba, makes a powerful statement with Exhale, the first solo exhibition in India by British-Sri Lankan artist Christopher Kulendran Thomas. The show reflects on identity and transformation, offering a thought-provoking narrative through innovative multimedia installations. Co-founders Prateek and Priyanka Raja underline the significance of MGW in positioning Mumbai as a global art hub:
“Mumbai Gallery Weekend brings together galleries that present some of the most ambitious and exciting exhibitions, accompanied by vibrant programming like guided walkthroughs, talks, performances, and workshops. Initiatives like MGW reflect a shared commitment to collaboration, positioning Mumbai as an emerging powerhouse in the global contemporary art market.”
Gallery Maskara, located in the heart of Colaba, presents T. Venkanna’s 16th solo exhibition, which features monumental ink brush paintings addressing societal structures and power dynamics. Abhay Maskara, the gallery’s founder, describes MGW as a transformative moment for Mumbai’s art scene:
“Mumbai Gallery Weekend started in 2012 to raise the visibility of contemporary art. Over the years, it has grown into the most significant event in Mumbai’s art calendar. MGW is an annual celebration of the best Mumbai has to offer in terms of art.”
At Galerie Isa, Spanish artist Santiago Giralda’s solo exhibition Maps of the Invisible investigates the relationship between landscapes and memory. Alongside this exhibition, the gallery will host a special artist talk with Giralda, offering insights into his creative process. Gallery Director Tanya Lakhani sees MGW as a vital platform for fostering dialogue:
“Events like Mumbai Gallery Weekend play a pivotal role in shaping Mumbai’s identity as a global art hub. These gatherings foster community by bringing people together and encouraging dialogue between artists and the public.”
Meanwhile, Mirchandani + Steinruecke presents a tightly curated show featuring works by artists who interrogate themes of identity, belonging, and urban life. Gallery Director Ranjana Mirchandani emphasises the collective spirit of MGW:
“So many galleries coming together in joint spirit certainly opens up a world of possibilities. Gallery-goers have a lot to choose from. The level of talks and events can only be organised collectively. MGW has gained a reputation and is now on people’s calendars, not only in India but internationally as well.”
Elevating the Conversation: Talks and Events
Beyond its exhibitions, MGW 2025 is enriched by a series of engaging talks, walkthroughs, and workshops. This year’s highlight is the panel discussion Spaces of Possibility: The Founding of Hong Kong’s Museums and Cultural Institutions. Supported by India Art Fair, the panel will feature prominent speakers, including Suhanya Raffel (Director of M+), Billy Tang (Executive Director of Para Site), and Ingrid Pui Yee Chu (Associate Curator at Tai Kwun Contemporary). This discussion will explore how cultural institutions shape urban landscapes and foster artistic innovation.
L to R: Suhanya Raffel, Museum Director, M+. Photo: Winnie Yeung @ Visual Voices, courtesy of M+, Hong Kong; Billy Tang, Executive Director & Curator, Para Site. Photo: Shuwei Liu; Ingrid Pui Yee Chu, Associate Curator, Artists' Book Library & Public Programmes, Tai Kwun. Photo: Stephanie Teng.
Hena Kapadia of TARQ notes the importance of such programming in creating a vibrant cultural ecosystem:
“Our yearly talk brings people from across India and the world to Mumbai. It’s certainly a highlight on a lot of gallery-goers’ calendars.”
In addition to talks, MGW will offer guided walkthroughs led by curators and artists, performances that blur the boundaries between visual art and theatre, and workshops designed to engage both new and seasoned collectors.
A Celebration of Collaboration
At its core, MGW exemplifies the power of collaboration in fostering a thriving art ecosystem. Prateek and Priyanka Raja of Experimenter highlight this collective spirit:
“By anchoring ourselves in a value system fuelled by fearlessness and dialogue, we strive to build a space for free-thinking that nurtures inclusive and sensitive ideas. MGW is a reminder of the power of collective action and free and fearless thinking.”
Mumbai on the Global Art Map
As MGW enters its 13th year, it continues to enhance Mumbai’s stature as both a cultural and financial capital. The weekend not only showcases the city’s rich artistic offerings but also draws international attention, making it a key event on the global art calendar. For both seasoned collectors and first-time visitors, MGW offers an unmissable opportunity to explore the narratives shaping contemporary art today.
