David Zwirner director James Green on the gallery's debut at the India Art Fair 2018

Boasting artists like Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama and Richard Serra in its stable, and with outposts in London, New York, and more recently, Hong Kong, there’s no mistaking that the 25-year-old gallery empire, David Zwirner, means business with its decision to participate in the 10th edition of the India Art Fair (9-12 February 2018). Named after its founder who appears consistently in the top 10 ranking of the infamous Art Review Power 100 list, the gallery’s decision to showcase work to Indian audiences is part of its larger plans for cementing its Asian nexus. We spoke with James Green ahead of the opening of the VIP preview of the IAF. What prompted your decision to participate in the 2018 edition of the India Art Fair? With the gallery opening a space in Hong Kong last month (our first outpost in Asia), and increasing our presence in the region through fairs and institutional exhibitions with the artists we represent, we have been engaging with South Asia a lot more. We have been connecting with Asian collectors through our galleries in London, New York and, as of January 2018, Hong Kong — so it is a natural progression to come to India and exhibit at the fair. [caption id=“attachment_4343295” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Images courtesy David Zwirner[/caption]

Who are the artists you’re showcasing to Indian audiences? What were some of the factors that contributed to your selection? We are presenting work by eight artists who reflect the broad range of our programme. We are delighted that Yayoi Kusama, who already has a following in India, made brand new works for the fair. Alongside Kusama, we have groups of works by Sherrie Levine, Thomas Ruff and James Welling — artists who are key to our gallery but are perhaps less well known in India, who we would like to introduce to an Asian audience. We have also brought works by Oscar Murillo, Alice Neel, Chris Ofili and Luc Tuymans. Is your participation a way of testing the waters, or are you looking at a long-term vision of investing in the region’s collectors? We are certainly looking long-term and view this as the beginning of our engagement with collectors in India and beyond. Visit the David Zwirner booth at #E1 at the India Art Fair at NSIC Grounds, Okhla Industrial Area, New Delhi