The fair, into its fifth edition, today kicked off with a special VIP preview at the NSIC complex here that will house artworks by over 1000 artists from 23 countries.
Argentina, Brazil, Israel, Korea, Turkey and Russia are participating for the first time at the four-day mega event, which is displaying over 3,500 works by 103 exhibitors in a special custom built tent.
A gallery from Pakistan listed as an exhibitor did not turn up. Karachi-based gallery Art Chowk, which was scheduled to showcase 9 artists did not set up its stall.
Also, Pakistani artist Ambar Hammad, represented by Delhi-based Wonderwall gallery slated to attend the event said she could not make it to the event.
"I had attended the India Art Fair last time and was excited to come to the fair this time with my husband and twins," said Ambar in an email to gallery director Ajay Rajgarhia.
Rajgarhia told PTI that the artist had "expressed her deepest regret at not attending the event. She could not get her visa on time so she will not be attending."
However, a solo show of Ambar titled "Glocal" is being held at the gallery in Lado Sarai as part of the IAF's collateral events.
A big-ticket artist from Pakistan Rashid Rana, is also listed among the 40 speakers who are participating in the Speakers Forum at the event.
Meanwhile, organisers said the number of exhibitors have gone up over the years.
"The number of galleries have gone up from 90-odd galleries last year to over 100-odd galleries this year. The quality of works have also increased this year. Though we have some new entrants from foreign galleries there are a lot of loyalists too," said a spokesperson for the organisers.
"We also expect the number of footfalls to be exceed over a lakh this time around," she said.
Artworks being sold at the fair are expected to be priced between Rs 2 to three lakh and over crores of rupees.
Auction house Christies is participating for the first time at the event even though it has visited the fair since its first edition in 2008.
London-based Gallery Scream which is participating for the first time has brought with it Thai artist Pakpoom Silaphan, whose mixed media on metal works titled "Triple Gandhi on Pepsi" and "Frieda Keihl on Coca Cola" seemed to generate a lot of curiosity. (MORE)
