- Lucknow Contemporary Indian Art Fair – A Discourse on Contemporary Artists’ Reflections
TIL Desk Lucknow :
The capital of Uttar Pradesh is stepping into a new era of contemporary art through the “Lucknow Contemporary Indian Art Fair” (CIAF) – 2025. On Sunday, a grand exhibition was organized at the prestigious Phoenix Palassio under the joint aegis of Florescence Art Gallery and Phoenix Palassio.
The grand inauguration of this exhibition was conducted by the chief guest, Mukesh Meshram, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, along with gallery patron Dr. S.P. Singh, Member of Parliament & Chairman, Lucknow Public Schools and Colleges, Naveen Kumar Kannaujia, Regional Commissioner (EPFO) Lucknow, and renowned art critic, art historian, and writer Johnny M.L., along with Jay Tripathi, by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The event was graced by gallery director Neha Singh, Phoenix Palassio director Sanjeev Sareen, theater and film artist Anil Rastogi, Sandeep Yadav, curator Bhupendra Asthana, Gopal Samantre, Rajesh Kumar, and several distinguished artists and art lovers from across the country and the state.
A Grand Showcase of Art and Expression:
The Lucknow Contemporary Indian Art Fair is being organized by Florescence Art Gallery, featuring 120 artworks (paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and embroidery) by 38 contemporary young and senior artists from various states, including Bihar, West Bengal, New Delhi, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh.
According to Neha Singh, Director of Florescence Art Gallery, “Art has a direct connection with society and human emotions.” She has presented this art fair in a new form, expanding the dimensions of art and opening up new possibilities. The exhibition showcases social, naturalistic, and experimental works that captivate viewers with their artistic elements and sensitivity derived from nature.
Artists express themselves in different visual art forms, whether Gopal Samantre, Suraj Kumar Kashi, Sanjay Rajput, Uday Goswami, Bapi Das, and others, whose works blend nature with experimental styles. These creative artists exhibit remarkable artistic prowess. The works of senior painter Umesh Kumar Saxena (in abstraction) and contemporary artists Ravindra Kumar Das, Shweta Rai, Kishor Kumar, Rohit Kumar Sharma, Hifjul Kabir, Digbijayee Khatua, Ranjita Kumari, Nitish Sharma, Shikha Patel, Shubhankar Tarafdar, Ram Sanjeevan, and many others, reflect love, nature, and social challenges. These emotionally engaging artworks immerse viewers in deeply woven narratives of imagination and relevance.
This “Lucknow Contemporary Indian Art Fair” is not just an event but a cultural movement that sparks discussions on artistic challenges, featuring discourses by contemporary artists and thinkers. It seamlessly blends tradition with contemporary perspectives. While the displayed artworks express human sensitivity, they also reflect the broader realities of society.
Artists like Arvind Singh, Abhishek Kumar, Amit Kumar, Sambit Panda, and Abhilasha Singh present a vivid series of perspectives on human experiences, social challenges, environmental degradation, and philosophical thought. They use new techniques and thought-provoking works to display their artistic simplicity.
Artists like Aditi Raman, Anjum Khan, Ranjita Kumar, Rashmi Srivastava, and Sonal Varshney symbolize the transformative journey of women. Priyanka Sinha expresses inner vision through abstract paintings. Kaushlesh Kumar and Payal explore deep personal searches, Nitish Sharma investigates humanity’s connection with the universe, and Navkash’s abstract pieces lead viewers towards deep tranquility.
The sculptures of Ram Sanjeevan dive into the psychological dimensions of urban life. Sanjay Raj highlights rural-urban divisions through his watercolors, while Shivi Sharma presents dreamlike landscapes. The works of Shikha Patel and Suparna Mandal provoke thoughtful introspection, and Shubhankar Tarafdar’s art explores social vulnerabilities. Uday Goswami from Bhopal focuses on themes of development and transformation.
Sanjeev Sarin, Senior Center Director The Phoenix Mills, remarked,”I am delighted to welcome everyone to the Lucknow Contemporary Indian Art Fair 2025 (CIAF-2025), a proud and splendid exhibition of artistic talent. Phoenix Palassio is more than just a shopping destination; it is a dynamic cultural space where creativity and imagination come to life. This year, in collaboration with Florescence Art Gallery, we are thrilled to transform our venue into a vibrant hub of artistic expression.”
Sculptural works by Amit Goud, Sachindra Nath Jha, and Lalit Bharati, along with stoneware ceramics by Vijendra Mahali and Prem Shankar, navigate the complexities of modern life, identity, social issues, and humanity’s evolving relationship with the world.
A Bold Step in Contemporary Art:
The “Lucknow Contemporary Indian Art Fair” establishes a strong and experimental mark in the realm of contemporary artistic expression. The curators of this grand art fair are renowned artists, curators, and critics Bhupendra Kumar Asthana, Gopal Samantre, and Rajesh Kumar.
On this occasion, Member of Parliament Dr. S.P. Singh stated, “Such exhibitions are a necessity in Uttar Pradesh, and research-oriented experiments in the field of art should continue. Schools and major research institutions should fully support the promotion of art. The way contemporary artworks are being showcased today will inspire the entire art community across the nation, and I firmly believe this.”
Art critics Jay Tripathi and Johnny M.L., who traveled from New Delhi, shared their views, “The visual compositions created by different artists express their aesthetics and meaning through creativity. In a refined sense, art is a continuously evolving phenomenon. The conceptual outcome of artistic creation is also a reflection of this evolution, as seen in the Lucknow Contemporary Indian Art Fair 2025.”
