Christie’s presents its first exhibition in Asia dedicated to modern South Asian Art, ‘Masterpieces of Modern South Asian Art: Highlights from the Dabriwala Collection’, which also marks one of the first public exhibitions of the Dabriwala Collection.
Free and open to the public from 18–29 November at The Henderson, Christie’s Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong, the exhibition brings together over twenty works by leading modern artists from South Asia, offering a rare opportunity to explore the major movements and developments that have shaped the category over the 20th century through one of its most significant private collections. Spanning multiple generations of collecting, the exhibition reflects the vision and stewardship of Surbhit Dabriwala and his family in building a collection of exceptional depth and significance.
Timed to coincide with India by the Bay, an annual series of events held in Hong Kong celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions, the exhibition reflects Christie’s commitment to fostering appreciation for South Asian Art and broadening engagement with the category across Asia, while showcasing its global significance.
The Dabriwala Collection traces its origins to the collecting vision of Rajendra Dabriwala, who began acquiring works by Bengal modernists, including Ganesh Pyne, before expanding into the Progressive Artists’ Group and the broader field of Indian modernism through artists such as Sayed Haider Raza, Francis Newton Souza, Maqbool Fida Husain, Ram Kumar, Tyeb Mehta and Akbar Padamsee. Together, these acquisitions established one of the most significant private collections of modern South Asian Art, bringing together artists whose diverse approaches helped shape the trajectory of Indian modernism throughout the 20th century.
Building on his father's vision, Surbhit Dabriwala has continued to develop the collection while preserving its original spirit. Under his stewardship, the collection has broadened its scope across South and Southeast Asia, embracing artists including Cheong Soo Pieng, Hendra Gunawan and Affandi, alongside contemporary and diasporic voices such as Arpita Singh and Salman Toor. Today, the collection stands as a testament to an enduring collecting vision shaped by discernment, curiosity and a deep commitment to the arts. This commitment extends through the Dabriwala Foundation for the Arts, established to support scholarship and public engagement with Indian modern and contemporary art.
Christie's Hong Kong