5 Must-Visit Places For Art Lovers in Mumbai: The Guide For Artists

Mumbai is a city of art, talent, skills, and creativity. From the art galleries to the enormous Elephanta Caves, it offers a majestic view of every artistic element from the old times. This city is home to Indian, traditional, modern, and Indo-modern art. You can observe these artistic styles in their well-known corners. Here, Things2Do lists five must-visit places for all the art enthusiasts in Mumbai. 

1Jehangir Art Gallery

This is an enormous art gallery that is free for every person. It’s near the Prince of Wales Museum. At Jehangir Art Gallery, you can find four halls that showcase lovely paintings. At times, when budding artists want to exhibit their artwork, it is presented in these bright halls. Many famous artists participate in the exhibitions at this place. Each painting at this gallery is unique. It speaks volumes with every stroke of colour. The black and white in paintings explain the complex meaning with the use of simple colours. The details in every painting keep you hooked on seeing them for longer periods of time with full attention. It gives you a peaceful feeling. 

Here, every piece of art is kept with the utmost care and perfection. The art gallery is huge and fully air-conditioned. It is clean and mesmerising. Not just paintings, but different sculptures are also exhibited at this art gallery. Every statue puts the viewers in deep thought about the artist’s psychology while working on it. Jehangir Art Gallery teaches us to be patient and skilled in getting the perfect outcomes in life. It is a testimonial to the rich artistic values in the form of a spectacular gallery.

📍 161B, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

2Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya was once popularly known as the Museum of Wales. It provides a sneak peek into the diverse history of India. This place has three sections, one each for art, archaeology, and natural history. On every sculpture’s side, you can read its significance from a historical point of view. It has many artistic works from older civilizations in history. Some of them are made up of marble, and stones. There is a huge garden at the entrance, which consists of many exotic plant species and statues of the Buddha. 

The main museum reflects the evolution of different species and empires. In this museum, an Egyptian mummy coffin is also present, which gives you a glimpse into Egyptian culture. This place is for those who find solace in silence, as it has a calm atmosphere. If you want to dwell in the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya’s vibrance, try to come here with at least 3 to 4 hours from your busy schedule. Weapons like daggers, stones and shields of different kings and dynasties have been preserved with care. The staff of the museum has out-performed their roles and maintained its demeanour.

📍 159-161, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

Time: 10:15 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

3National Gallery of Modern Art

This is a beautiful art gallery in Mumbai, which is another must-see place for art lovers and enthusiasts. At the entrance, there is a tiny exhibition of different ceramics for sale. After entering the main gallery, splendid paintings are hanging on the wall. There are many sculptures and statues present in different corners of the art gallery. The paintings at this place are antique and some of them are 50 to 60 years old. There are huge canvas structures in the hall which have vibrant splashes of color and storytelling in each stroke. 

At the National Gallery of Modern Art, art lovers feel immense peace and joy. The mesmerising artwork fills the heart with fulfilment and passion. It makes the spectators respect the creative skills of the artist as each piece explains the complexities that are hard to comprehend without seeing.

📍 WRGJ+8H4, Sir Cowasji Jahangir Public Hall, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400032

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Tuesday – Friday)

          11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Saturday – Sunday) 

           Monday – Closed

4Elephanta Caves

Elephanta caves are present inside Elephanta Island, which you can reach through a boat ride. There’s a stairway to the entrance of caves where you can see ancient statues of mythological figures. It has an enormous 7 caves and travellers love to click pictures at these sports. 

There’s a lush green scene surrounding this region. Each cave exhibits different elements of historical significance. The maintenance of Elephanta Caves is praiseworthy, as they have been developed from the cutting of mountains. Here, you can see the famous ‘Trimurti’ of Lord Shiva, who is an ancient figure. Elephanta Caves exhibit an elegant sneak peek into mythology. 

📍 Gharapuri, Maharashtra 400001

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday closed) 

5Nehru Centre Art Gallery

At the Nehru Centre Art Gallery, visitors get the royal feel of Indian culture and history. The magnificent walls are colourful, with minute detail images showing Indian values. Different statues give a clear glimpse into our rich cultures. You can meet many inspirational artists at this gallery whose paintings are exhibited. Artists from all across the nation try to showcase their work in this gallery. The paintings reflect the observations and life experiences of the artist. 

Some of the artwork remains for sale and you can purchase it as you like. At the Nehru Centre Art Gallery, you get to experience the thought processes of local artists by knowing about their lives and how they got into these careers. For art lovers and artists, this place is a must-watch. 

📍 XRQ8+F5W, Discovery Of India Building, Ground Floor, Dr Annie Besant Rd, Lotus Colony, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Monday closed) 

All Images from: https://www.tripadvisor.in/ 

Conclusion: 

Mumbai’s artistic spots are inspirational for every individual. It almost feels like witnessing a story come to life. These five must-visit art destinations give a cultural, social, and historical outlook on our society. 

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by Saanchi Gupta

Content Writer at Things2do