ART MUMBAI’s Speaker Series is a collection of panels hosting pioneers of the art world, across a range of subjects—from institutional legacy and evolution, to the future of art and the art market. We sat down with our Head of Programming, Zoya Kathawala, as she took us through how she ideates, curates and organises the Speaker Series each year.

When you were thinking about this year's Speaker Series, what were you building it around? Was there a central theme or was it experience-led?

Zoya: I think it's a mix of everything. When I was building the speaker series this year, what I wanted was to have conversations inside the auditorium and then for people to walk out into the fair and see those conversations come to life. I think that's really special. For example, themes about collaboration, about the ecosystem, what it takes to build an institution, and what someone's career looks like in retrospect as well. We have just so many fantastic conversations, thoughts, and ideas.

Are any of these conversations that you have had before with these people and thought, "I want to share this, come to the stage and have it in a large capacity," or are these entirely new contexts or conversations that you're excited to bring to the ecosystem?

Zoya: Yes, so there's a continuation because conversations don't exist in silos. We have to repeatedly have them so we can build on them, and they grow and evolve. We have a conversation about tech and AI, generative AI, as well as conversations surrounding the art market and law. Every year we build on these conversations, continually bringing back experts or bringing in new experts because we want the audience to have access to them.

Could you tell us about the themes of the 2026 Speaker Series?

Absolutely. Previously we've spoken about art and tech, and we've had conversations around AI. This year we've funneled that conversation into one about immersive experiences, how that is changing the audience, whether AI is a collaborator, and re-imagining who an artist is. We're also building on the idea of collaboration. Last year we had a panel discussion about the Bhulabhai Desai Memorial Institute where artists from different disciplines shared studio spaces. This year we have a similar panel which will have a poet and a painter come together for a collaboration.

Interviewer: Can you tell us who the painter is?

Zoya: Yes, I can actually. This is very exciting: we have Javed Akhtar in conversation with Baaran Ijlal, and it's going to be a really beautiful conversation. Javed Akhtar has written a book of Urdu couplets and Baaran has illustrated these couplets.

Oh, so they'll be talking about the book as much as the collaboration that led to the book.

Zoya: It's about how we can give different artists the same themes and see how they respond. In our pre-panel conversation with them, you could see how they were evolving off of each other. While Baaran has primarily been inspired by Javed's couplets, you could also see him responding to her work as well. I think he asked her to paint some more paintings, which is amazing.

What's amazing is that over the four days, we're pulling the elastic to its absolute maximum in terms of the spectrum of art. We go from traditional oral storytelling and tactile inspiration to tech mediums, and ART MUMBAI sits at the center.

What do you want people to walk away from the speaker series with?

Zoya: I think I want them to walk away with more questions than answers because I think the art world thrives on questions. If we're not constantly questioning ourselves, then we're not constantly growing and evolving. Art is a mirror and a reflection, so there's no singular answer.

And just you personally, what are you most excited about?

Zoya: I think I'm excited about the energy. There's something about being at the fair on fair days where there's adrenaline pumping through every pore of my being. Everyone is working towards bringing this one thing to life—like a wheel in motion.

Are there any panels this year that you know are going to be really popular?

Zoya: I think we have a few panels that are going to be super popular. There's going to be one about building art institutions, one called A Poet and a Painter, and one about the art ecosystem celebrating milestone years for various organizations.

So, people should come early.

Zoya: Please come early and block out an entire day. We also have guided walks led by a fantastic team of walk leaders.

Do you need to be an art expert to go on those walks?

Zoya: No, absolutely not! Those walks are for experts and amateurs alike. We also have a really fantastic VIP program this year with behind-the-scenes and curator-led access to institutions around the city.

Supposing I'm buying a painting and I don't get to come to one of the talks, what can I do if I've missed them in person?

Zoya: If you've missed them in person, we will be recording the speaker series so you can find them on our YouTube channel shortly after the fair.

Watch the 2026 Speaker Series at ART MUMBAI, get your tickets now.