There’s never been a more exciting time to be an art lover in the city — and country. Indian artists have been having highly successful showings at art fairs abroad, and global interest in desi art saw the highest jump (32 per cent) out of any other country last year. The reverse is also true; Indian collectors have become major players in the international market. At a time when global art sales have taken a nosedive, the total auction sales from India’s biggest platforms have more than doubled between 2020 and 2022, going from $41.2 million to $92 million.

And this time it’s not just Delhi, but Mumbai too that’s at the centre of this new wave, with Art Mumbai’s third edition set to open here on November 13-16. In a stamp of overseas recognition for the Indian art scene, in just two years after its launch, the city’s first international art fair sees increased participation from international galleries, with 18 of them — including major players such as Lisson and Galleria Continua — exhibiting at Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Nine of them are returning to Art Mumbai, while nine will make their debut. Here’s the lowdown on these new galleries.