Malls, restaurants & hotels turn galleries for art

New Delhi: Malls, restaurants and hotels have emerged as new places to display and sell art. Developers such as DLF and Prestige are showcasing art at their luxury malls in Delhi and Bengaluru, while hotel chains like Leela have opened restaurants with a focus on art.

Ambrosia Hospitality has opened a restaurant, Arts Room, in Delhi’s Saket where diners can buy art using the QR codes on the art works.

“Globally, art finds a place in shopping malls and airports and some luxury brands also tie up with artists for designing the product. As art is life, and life is art, it has become an important aspect of retail as well,” said Padma Shri awardee artist Paresh Maity. “We have started seeing the trend in India also with Jio World Convention Centre and some malls displaying and selling art. In India, art was always public and with hotels, restaurants and malls now promoting it, it will create more awareness about art.”


While Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai has a luxury retail space nearby, the upcoming Kiran Nadar Museum of Arts is also likely to have luxury retail space.

“Art has always been integral to public spaces in India — from architecture to everyday craft. Today, we’re seeing a natural extension of that in luxury malls, hotels, restaurants and high-end residential condominiums, where art is not just displayed but also made accessible. Globally too, art increasingly finds its way into unconventional spaces, from airports to retail, enriching everyday experiences,” said Amit Goyal, managing director, India Sotheby’s International Realty.

Sotheby’s, a leading auction house, has conducted several art exhibitions and auctions in India.

For collectors and connoisseurs, art acquisition is a serious business and conventionally they go through established routes such as galleries and auction houses and private sales, which offer provenance and curation.

“Art adds visual interest and depth, making spaces more inviting and visually stimulating. In premium retail real estate, curated art collections elevate the perceived value of a property, signalling sophistication. At UB city, Sublime Galleria, we collaborate with emerging artists, fostering a culture of creativity while giving our properties a distinct and exclusive identity,” said Uzma Irfan, director, UB City, Prestige Group.

Experts said that once art lived in quiet galleries and museums and that it needs to be mixed with shopping and food so that more people get access to it.

“The idea is to make art more accessible. While we are a restaurant first, we also offer a unique experience where guests can explore and engage with curated artworks as part of their visit,” said Navneet R Bajaj, owner, Arts Room (Ambrosia Hospitality). “Many may not make a separate trip to an art gallery, but here, they can admire, learn about and even purchase art — with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the artists. We take no commission, serving instead as a platform to support and celebrate Indian artists.”

The Leela Palace New Delhi recently opened The Qube restaurant with a cinematic digital art wall in collaboration with art platform Masha Art. The canvas features a rotating collection of digital artworks by upcoming Indian artists such as Shrikant Kadam, Swaraj Das, Seema Kohli and Rajesh Badaria.

“We have curated an immersive experience where contemporary design, global flavours and digital art come together in harmony. This offers our guests a new way to engage with hospitality, which is culturally rich,” said Preeti Makhija, general manager at The Leela Palace New Delhi.

Industry players said that restaurants, cafes, hotels and cultural hubs are now also becoming creative playgrounds.