Artix 5.0: India's Unique Art Fair

What happened

Artix 5.0, a unique art fair, is set to take place at The Claridges, New Delhi, on August 22 and 23, featuring 20 selected participants across 21 rooms.

The fair has used hotel rooms as exhibition spaces since 2023, allowing galleries and artists to create individual environments around their work.

Why it matters

The emphasis on younger artists and collectors has developed over the course of the fair’s editions, with founders Malvika Poddar and Payal Kapoor aiming to create a platform for emerging practitioners.

The fair has kept prices relatively accessible, with a cap of under one crore on the price of individual works, to encourage first-time buyers and give younger galleries a less expensive way to participate.

By the numbers

• 20 participants across 21 rooms
• 900-1,000 applications received for Artix 5.0
• 5 emerging artists featured in the new Artist in Focus section

What it means for you

Artix 5.0 provides a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to discover new talent and experience the works of established and emerging artists in an intimate setting.

The fair’s focus on accessibility and affordability makes it an ideal platform for first-time buyers and young collectors.

What happens next

After Delhi, Artix will move to Mumbai in February 2027, continuing its experiment with a format that has found its audience.

The programme will include panel discussions, artist talks, and guided walkthroughs, with conversations around contemporary art, collecting, design, and culture.

With the rise of technology in the art world, Artix 5.0 also acknowledges the increasing presence of AI in artistic practice, while maintaining that originality and the human element remain central.

The fair’s unique format, using hotel rooms as exhibition spaces, allows visitors to see works in a setting closer to a home, making it easier to consider scale and placement.

The selection process for Artix 5.0 is closely filtered, with a committee reviewing applications, portfolios, resumes, and previous work before participants are chosen.

The organisers are looking for artists who have begun developing a practice, rather than accepting artists solely on the basis of age.

The new Artist in Focus section brings together five distinct practices, including Gauri Verma, Eknoor Matharoo, Divya Kumar, Tania Verma, and 12-year-old Shanayya Kapoor.

The initiative will sit alongside a dedicated showcase of works by the late KG Subramanyan, bringing an important figure from Indian modern art into the same setting as contemporary artists.

Background and Context

Art fairs have traditionally been held in large halls, with visitors moving from one booth to another. However, Artix has taken a different approach, using hotel rooms as exhibition spaces to create a more intimate and unique experience.

This approach has allowed galleries and artists to create individual environments around their work, making it easier for visitors to engage with the art and consider its placement in a home setting.

Expert Perspective

Founders Malvika Poddar and Payal Kapoor have emphasized the importance of creating a platform for emerging artists and collectors, and have worked to keep prices relatively accessible to encourage first-time buyers and younger galleries.

The fair’s focus on accessibility and affordability has made it an ideal platform for art enthusiasts to discover new talent and experience the works of established and emerging artists.

Implications for Readers in India

Artix 5.0 provides a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts in India to discover new talent and experience the works of established and emerging artists in an intimate setting.

The fair’s focus on accessibility and affordability makes it an ideal platform for first-time buyers and young collectors in India, and its unique format using hotel rooms as exhibition spaces allows visitors to see works in a setting closer to a home.