Beyond Museums: How Public Art Is Transforming Cities Into Living Masterpieces

As India Art Fair kicks off today, Delhi is poised to become a living masterpiece, where contemporary creativity meets cultural heritage. The 16th edition, held at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds, is more than just a showcase; it is a gateway to South Asia’s most compelling modern and contemporary art. This year, with 120 exhibitors showcasing performance art programmes, outdoor installations, artist and curator talks and interactive workshops—including 26 new exhibitors, including seven new design studios in its expanded Design section—the fair set to be its biggest interdisciplinary edition, cementing its role as a premier destination for collectors, curators, and connoisseurs alike.

Some of the key highlights include the IAF Fair Facade, designed by Ayesha Singh, an LED installation by conceptual artist duo conceptual artist duo Claire Fontaine inspired by their acclaimed series Foreigners Everywhere, and commissioned works by artists like Asim Waqif, Mohd. Intiyaz and Yogesh Barve.

“India Art Fair is that meeting point where the world is able to discover the expanse and quality of Indian contemporary art—one of the few venues where this is possible,” explains Jaya Asokan, Fair Director, India Art Fair. She points out that the event is the annual destination in India for the global art world in a circuit of art events in the region, with the Sharjah Biennale taking place alongside the fair this year, and KALA taking place in Sri Lanka immediately after.

Shaping Cultures And Communities

Interestingly, beyond the works displayed at the fair, the event also takes art to the streets via immersive installations, street art, and collaborative public programs. “Public programs like the Inclusion Lab and the Learning Space provide art workshops for children with disabilities and tactile Braille artworks for visually impaired visitors,” shares Asokan.

Truly, the heart of every great city beats not just in its streets, but in its artistic districts. Whether it’s commissioned murals or spontaneous graffiti, public art is more than just aesthetics—it reflects a city’s character, personality, and mood.

This became abundantly clear during my first visit to the recent Singapore Art Week (SAW), now in its 13th edition. The energy during this time is palpable—a walk through the Civic District at night brings you face to face with Light to Night Singapore, a public art initiative that projects larger-than-life artworks on the facades of colonial-era buildings, bringing them to life. Similarly, a ride on the MRT, the railway network, can turn into an artistic encounter, as both the stations and trains transform into canvases, inviting commuters to engage with art.

Sparking Cities To Life

During my visit here, I observed how public art goes beyond the tourist and commercial areas and expands into the city’s residential quarters. “Public art in Singapore extends to urban screens, where digital billboards turn into vibrant canvases as contemporary artists take over the screens,” shares Renjie Wong, Area Director(Mumbai), Singapore Tourism Board, covering India, the Middle East and South Asia. Tampines, the area where he grew up, features art ranging from inflatable sculptures to sonic installations. “One such interesting installation is built around the idea of sound as a medium for artistic expression and reflects the experience of living in that particular precinct. Whether its public installations or non-visual mediums, art has the power to connect.”

Featuring artists Zulkifle Mahmod, Joo Choon Lin and KIAT, the sonic walkabout is themed around ideas of connectivity to nature, destruction and renewal and commitment to sustainability. As Singapore Art Week embraces both formal gallery exhibitions and immersive public art installations, it has evolved into a significant cultural event, positioning Singapore as an emerging art hub in the East.

Over the decades, art fairs have played a pivotal role in establishing the host cities as global art destinations. Events like Art Basel, Venice Biennale and India Art Fair have transformed their home cities into immersive hubs.

Speaking about India Art Fair, Fair Director, Asokan shares, “Apart from the on-site programmes, we also help bring Delhi to life during India Art Fair week, partnering with galleries, institutions and public spaces to create an exciting event line-up for our visitors to experience in the city. This is to nurture audiences interested in the arts.” Additionally, the fair spotlights artists from underrepresented regions of India via folk and traditional art.

A Catalyst For Change

Public art is more than just aesthetics—it leaves a lasting imprint on a city’s cultural landscape. In Singapore, the history of Kampong Glam unfolds through vibrant murals that tell stories of its past. Closer home, in Mumbai, public artworks like Inside Out at Sassoon Docks have transformed the old fishing hub into a vibrant art quarter, while murals outside Mahim and Matunga stations offer commuters a moment of respite during peak rush hour.

In Mumbai, the recently held Art Mumbai enriched the city’s creative landscape. In 2024, the Sculpture Walk brought together twenty striking installations, turning the Mahalaxmi Racecourse into an open gallery. “The collection of sculptures is carefully curated to encompass a broad range of works, from monumental installations that make a bold statement to smaller, intimate forms that invite close examination,” shares Minal Vazirani, co-founder, Art Mumbai, Saffronart. Mumbai has been integral to the curation of Art Mumbai as it reflects the artistic spirit of the city. “A key aspect of our vision is to position Mumbai as an anchor destination for art. With its unique cultural landscape, rich artistic heritage, and emerging contemporary art scene, the city is poised to become an art hub for a regional and global audience,” adds Vazirani.

Public art provides an enduring dialogue—one that provokes thought, evokes emotion, and reshapes the identity of a city. “The use of public spaces with historical and communal significance emphasises inclusivity. Transforming these spaces into open, welcoming venues allows festival-goers to engage informally—through picnics, interactive programmes, and more,” opines Vygesh Mohan, Manager (Audience Engagement), National Gallery Singapore.

As art brings communities together, it becomes an integral part of the city’s identity while adding another layer to the cultural landscape. Events like Art Basel and the Venice Biennale have done just that, turning their host cities into thriving art hubs. While Art Basel has put Miami, Basel, and Hong Kong on the global art map, the Venice Biennale has transformed Venice into a city-wide gallery. These fairs not only showcase art but also make it a part of everyday life by shaping how people experience the city.