Over the weekend, EON Hyderabad, a new high-rise office space in the Financial District, hosted HYD.ART 2025, establishing itself as one of Hyderabad’s biggest art showcases. On view were artworks from contemporary Indian masters, emerging artists, with highlights from older Telugu artists. Workshops, panel discussions and documentary screenings took place.
Annapurna Madipadiga, curator of HYD.ART 2025 and founder of Ekchitra, who has organized exhibitions in art galleries and offbeat venues like Spirit Connect Film Production House and T-Works, says she is looking for spaces that can make art accessible to people in different parts of the city. “I look for places that can make art interesting and spark curiosity.”
In January 2024, when he hosted Hue, a multidisciplinary show at Spirit Connect near Ramanaidu Studios, Film Nagar, the space was made like a temporary gallery, with lighting that enhanced the artworks.
“It took me several months to finalize the venue. When I pitched the idea to Rana’s (Daggubati) team, they were welcoming. Designing a show at a non-gallery venue is challenging. The venue has to suit the story of the show.”
In the past, he has conducted large format shows like Chitram at the Vishal State Gallery of Art, Madhapur. However, she finds that sometimes taking art out of the traditional gallery creates an element of surprise for visitors.
Arts and IT Center
In February 2025, he organized Living Temple, a three-day festival of art, heritage and architecture at T-Works, Rai Durg and saw how IT sector employees as well as housekeeping staff were treated to paintings, sculptures, installations and interactive exhibits. “Some corporates said they came to watch the show rather than attend meetings,” she says, laughing. “The employees were also excited and asked when we would organize another show.”
For such shows, there will be presence of famous artists and art lovers on the opening day. Gradually, new visitors arrive. “In the case of T-Works, which is surrounded by tall, concrete buildings, the art adds a new aesthetic,” says Annapurna.
He believes that unlike New Delhi’s India Habitat Centre, Bikaner House or Triveni Sangam, Hyderabad’s art shows are often confined to galleries. “Just as retail chains open branches in an ever-growing city, there is a need to find new venues for arts and cultural events to make it easier for those who want to avoid long, traffic-heavy journeys.”
targeting young buyers
A view of RMZ The Loft during the Hyderabad edition of the India Art Fair. Photo Courtesy: Bharat Art Fair/Special Arrangements
This November, India Art Fair hosted IAF EDI+IONS Hyderabad, the city’s first at RMZ The Loft, Rai Durg. Jaya Ashokan, director of the fair, says the choice of the venue, in the heart of Hyderabad’s IT hub, was deliberate.
“We wanted the young professionals working here to see art as a worthwhile long-term investment, and to see themselves as the next generation of collectors. Equally important was the fact that the RMZ Foundation is a patron of the arts, with a large collection of contemporary South Asian and international practices. Upon entering the building, works by Shilpa Gupta and Bhuri Bai reflect the experience.”
He agrees that hosting an event within a non-traditional exhibition space requires careful consideration of display, flow and lighting. But there was one benefit from this. “We incorporated a guided RMZ art tour, which allowed visitors to connect with works throughout the complex and, importantly, signal to a wider audience the presence of collectors within the city, working beyond gallery or museum contexts.”
Visitors at Hyderabad edition of India Art Fair. Photo Courtesy: Praveen/Special Arrangements
While the first edition of IAF in Hyderabad was envisioned as an invite-only event to give visitors ample time to connect with the artworks and interact with the gallerists, the IAF team did not turn away groups of visitors.
The team observed how some enthusiasts spent almost a day at the art fair. Jaya believes this was easier because visitors could visit several dining options within the complex for lunch and then re-enter the exhibit. “That spontaneity encouraged sustained engagement rather than hasty consumption.”
The IAF hopes to return to Hyderabad and tap the young, emerging art collector base through initiatives such as the Young Collectors Programme.
less scary
Miheeka Daggubati at Spirit Media Complex during an exhibition. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Mihika Daggubati, who founded Art Connect and hosts the show at Spirit Connect, says unusual spaces make art less intimidating. “People who are not familiar with art may hesitate to visit a gallery, thinking they don’t know enough. I started Art Connect to make art accessible to more people. The exhibitions we have hosted have attempted to showcase a variety of formats – paintings, sculptures, installations and assemblages. The stories that accompany each artwork help visitors better understand and appreciate the art. Over time, visitors discover what form of art they are interested in.”
Mihika says offering support sessions like talks on investing in the arts is also beneficial. “Also, seeing an artwork in a space that is not a traditional gallery helps potential buyers imagine how it will look in their office or home.”
public establishment
Exhibiting art beyond galleries is not essentially a new idea. An example of this will be the curated shows and public art installations at the annual Hyderabad Literature Festival (HLF). Art has been a part of HLF in many of its locations – Hyderabad Public School, Vidyaranya High School, Saptaparni, or Sattva Knowledge City. HLF 2026 will be held from 24 to 26 January at Sattva Knowledge City.
The established art galleries and Salar Jung Museum will always hold pride of place among art lovers. However, the art trend of reaching new enthusiasts through unusual venues will continue to flourish.
published – December 25, 2025 03:35 PM IST