At the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, the Master Strokes 2026 exhibition highlights the diversity of India’s thriving art scene while championing genuine openness toward the public and society through an approach that is both inclusive and educational.
At the India Habitat Centre, an exhibition that champions open-mindedness
At the heart of the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, Master Strokes 2026 brings together thirty-six artists united by a common ambition: to make painting a space for open exchange, far from closed circles. Curated by Kishore Labar, this exhibition is part of a long-standing effort to liberate art from its exclusive circles.
The exhibition offers a generous panorama of contemporary art in India. Among the talents featured are figures such as Jatin Chaudhary, Jyotica Sikand, Kumud Grover, Kuldeep Tiwari, Madhulika Jha, Mahendera Rai, and Rajan Kumar Choudhary, who together illustrate a rich mosaic of sensibilities and practices, harmoniously orchestrated by the curator.
Indian Contemporary Art: Between Heritage and Modernity
For Kishore Labar, art transcends the exhibited object. He views it as a subtle language, capable of breaking free from religious and geographical boundaries and the constraints of traditional aesthetic vocabulary. This vision reflects the overall evolution of the Indian art scene, a true crossroads where centuries-old craftsmanship, immersive installations, conceptual approaches, and digital arts now coexist.
The curator highlights a key point: the vitality of Indian creativity draws its strength from an exceptionally rich historical heritage. Between spirituality, narrative culture, craftsmanship, and symbolism, this heritage continually nourishes contemporary expressions. Modernity does not deny this heritage; it questions it, sometimes creating friction, but more often fostering a dialogue of rare fruitfulness.
Demystifying the exhibition space
Labar is a passionate advocate for outreach based on accessibility. Aware that many potential visitors hesitate to cross the threshold of galleries or intimidating institutional venues, perceived as elitist sanctuaries, he has expanded public engagement through more than a hundred innovative projects.
This institutional revitalization goes beyond the theoretical stage. It relies on strategic partnerships with entities such as the New Delhi City Council, the local police, and the tourism department. The goal is clear: to transform the exhibition into a truly civic experience, beyond a mere social event.
In this context, the architecture and philosophy of the India Habitat Centre stand out as an ideal setting. Recent events held there—whether an exploration of yogic tradition or a photographic reflection on environmental memory—confirm its status as an essential cultural platform.
Transmitting and uniting: a curatorial commitment
Beyond the display of artworks, the curation prioritizes a more discreet yet essential three-pronged approach: hands-on workshops, on-site demonstrations, and direct dialogues with creators. These concrete initiatives support the development of young talent and broaden their professional horizons. In an ecosystem where visibility is often selective, this educational dimension takes on its full meaning.
Kishore Labar offers a lucid assessment of the sector’s pitfalls, pointing to the logic of favoritism and insider networks that sometimes hinder promising talent. Without naivety, he asserts that inclusion cannot be reduced to a mere slogan: it requires a sustainable policy of welcoming, passing on knowledge, and bringing talent to light.
In an artistic landscape undergoing a complete redefinition, it is no longer just about unveiling paintings, but about weaving an authentic social bond around them.
Within this exhibition, the curatorial approach prioritizes the depth of the conversation over spectacle. While the idea is not new, it resonates perfectly with the great Indian traditions of visual storytelling, where the image has always been intended to educate, bring people together, and raise awareness. Here, painting reconnects with its original societal function, while breaking new ground in formal terms.
Master Strokes 2026 is fully in step with this pivotal moment in which Indian art seeks to reconcile influence, diversity, and accessibility. More than a perfect synthesis, the event offers the beautiful promise of an exchange—sometimes fragile but indispensable—between the past and the present, institutions and the city, prestige and democratic demands.