Art Mumbai's London Takeover

Our specially curated Gateway events included exclusive previews, artist engagements and more

By Teesta Bhandare

Earlier this year Art Mumbai launched Art Mumbai Gateway, a unique experiential collateral programming series focusing on South Asian art in Mumbai and beyond. June marked our first international Gateway in London. Named after the iconic Gateway of India, the series intends to provide programming which bridges the gap between Mumbai, South Asia and the rest of the world, while celebrating Mumbai as one of the original hubs of culture for art enthusiasts.

Across 10 events, which included gallery hops, private tours of museums, exclusive exhibition previews and scintillating conversations we welcomed our audiences to the world of Art Mumbai in London. The London Gateway series started with a preview of Suleman Khilji's solo show by Jhaveri Contemporary in Sonam Kapoor Ahuja's space in London. Over some bubbly, canapes and conversation our VIP patrons were able to engage with each other and the artist. The very next day, Art Mumbai's co-founder Conor Macklin, organised a tour of the St James' galleries, sharing with us lesser-known facts of the area, like which gallery used to house the former printing room of the famed auction house, Christie's and that the entire area can only be used by and leased art institutions and businesses. The range galleries visited included those showcases Indian textiles, international and South Asian contemporary art and even arms and armoury.

The weekend was packed with activities, starting on Friday with an early morning private walkthrough of the Tate Modern, where Giulia Sartori Conte, the Tate's Head of Collection Committees, guided our group of patrons around. That very evening we moved back East during the intimate Saffronart Summer Online Auction preview and were dazzled by the works of South Asian modernists. The next morning, we enjoyed an intimate walkthrough of Dayanita Singh and Rameshwar Broota's solo shows at Frith Street Gallery and Frieze No. 9 Cork Street by Vadehra Art Gallery, respectively. Both famous Indian artists known for their artistic excellence.

After a few days break, we began our exciting programming for the next weekend that Thursday itself with a tour of Matthew Krishanu's exhibition, 'The Bough Breaks' at Camden Arts Centre. The artist and curator were both present. From there itself we headed straight to Hampstead for the private viewing and opening of a solo show celebrating FN Souza's centenary, which included a talk by the Courtauld Gallery's curator, Elena Crippa. The next day we began a busy day of art exploration. We started with Victoria and Albert Museum, where Christopher Turner led us through an intimate walkthrough of 'Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence'. An exhibition he curated which was fascinating from start to finish. A stone's throw away, Emmy London, awaited us for a private shoe fitting over drinks and nibble. Shoemaker to British royals including, Kate Middleton, this was certainly a special experience. We ended the day and London Gateway series with a champagne reception of 'Yuan Capote: See ESCAPES' at Ben Brown Fine Arts. A lovely way to unwind and unpack all that we had experienced across the week. While the sun has set on the 2024 London series we are looking forward to being back in London next year. In the meantime we working on our other Gateway events until November when Art Mumbai returns for its second edition from November 14-17, 2024 at the Members' Enclosure of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse.