Lodhi Art District, Delhi: India’s First Open-Air Art Museum

Art junkie or not, you’d love to explore Lodhi Art District, India’s first art district. The quiet neighborhood in the heart of Delhi is home to the best of Delhi Street Art and deserves a place on your bucket list and, eventually, itinerary.

The concept of street art, not new to the world, is now taking over Delhi.

All thanks to St+Art India Foundation, a non-profit organization that’s been working relentlessly to make street art popular across Delhi, and, for that matter, India (as they have expanded their work to other major cities) since 2015.

With the help of CPWD, NDMC, Swachh Bharat Mission, the residents (RWA) of Lodhi Colony, and Asian Paints, St+Art India partnered with local and international artists to bring the art closer to the public.

Otherwise dull and plain government-owned buildings in Lodhi Colony are transformed into creative zones as part of the annual Lodhi Street Art Festival.

That’s how India’s first-ever Lodhi Art District was born.

It’s impossible to drive past Lodhi Colony without stopping to admire and ponder the colossal wall art.

Why Lodhi Colony? You may ask.

Apart from its central location, Lodhi Colony attracted and thrilled the artists with its unique, symmetrical, and well-laid-out façades and pedestrian-friendly charm.

Each triple-storey government-owned building here features a central arched doorway and four windows (two on either side), with the archway affording a view into a courtyard.

In some buildings, the archways showcase trees jutting out into the street.

Lodhi Art District houses over 54 murals (and counting) that explore diverse themes, from social issues to environmental concerns to marginalized and vulnerable communities like LGBTQ people to Indian culture and values. Many of them have been inspired by the residents and visitors of the Lodhi Colony.

Are you a history lover too? You’d love to read about the Safdarjung Tomb, Tughlaqabad Fort, and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi.

You’d find yourself ogling at the artworks while trying to draw inferences behind them. I asked myself several times, “What must have inspired an artist?” as I looked at those pretty yet thoughtful murals.

I was mesmerized by the art on the walls that speaks volumes, and loved the way the trees of Lodhi dynamically became part of every art piece.

If you’re traveling to Delhi with kids, do stop by Shankar’s International Dolls Museum.

Heads up: some links here are affiliate links. That means if you click and buy something, I may earn a teeny-weeny commission (think chai money, not a private jet) at no extra cost to you. It’s a small way to keep this blog running, the words flowing, and the pages free for you to enjoy. I only recommend things I truly love, use, or secretly wish I invented, because trust matters, and so do good recs. Thanks for supporting the little cozy corner of the internet I call my virtual home.

Lodhi Art District Revisited: Fresh Murals and New Stories to Uncover

Hey there, art enthusiasts and wanderlusters! If you thought the Lodhi Art District was already a vivid tapestry of creativity, wait until you hear what’s new since my last visit.

The walls have come alive with fresh, stirring murals that not only capture the eye but tug at your heartstrings.

One standout piece, “Don’t Let This Symbolism Kill Your Heart” by NAFIR, delves deep into the complexities of women’s rights.

We also have vibrant expressions like “Imagine A World,” part of the Goalkeepers 2023 initiative supported by the Gates Foundation.

And don’t miss “Amma” by Blaise Joseph, a heartwarming tribute, or “How Is Global Warming” by Gaia, which compels us to think about our environmental footprint.

The list goes on, featuring masterpieces by celebrated artists such as Henrik, Reko Rennie, Anpu, DALeast, Bicicleta Sem Freio, Borondo, Shilo Shiv Suleman, Chifumi, Nevercrew, and many more.

And get this—I’m gearing up for another trip to the Lodhi Art District in the next few months to give you a detailed look and some fabulous snapshots of these awe-inspiring artworks.

If you’re planning to be there, I’d love for you to share your experiences and photos.

Trust me, the Lodhi Art District has revamped itself into an even more fascinating open-air gallery. You’re going to want to see this for yourself!

Lodhi Art District in Delhi

Street Murals in Lodhi Art District

Even though we contemplated the artwork, we couldn’t really decode all the murals on our own. I had to take help from St+ART India’s Facebook and Instagram to learn more about the stories and artists behind the graffiti while writing this piece.

Bhajju Shyam’s New Mural (Work in Progress)

This one’s a new addition. We spotted the artist and the volunteers working on this new mural.

Trans Lives Matter by Aravani Art Project

The Aravani Art Project painted this thought-provoking mural in Block 5 with the help of Delhi’s transgender community.

Featuring the portraits of trans women they have worked with, the artwork celebrates the transgender community.

The trans women you see in the artwork painted it themselves.

Ode to Femininity by Sajid Wajid Sheik

The Mumbai artist, Sajid Wajid, painted this vibrant mural in block 5, keeping in mind the essence of feminism.

The artist beautifully voices women’s empowerment and celebrates womanhood through his work of art.

Yahan by Georgia Hill and Hanif Kureshi

Painted by Australian artist, Georgia Hill, and co-founder of St+Art India, Hanif Kureshi, this black and white mural in block 8 represents the Hindi word for Here – ‘यहाँ’ (Yahan) and the English word ‘Must’ in an abstract form.

Georgia, during her explorations, often thought to herself, “This must be the place,” and her artwork explores the same idea.

Rock Pigeons by Adele Renault

A Belgian artist, Adele Renault’s artwork in Block 14 of Lodhi Colony highlights otherwise ordinary creatures as magnificent. The pair of pigeons hidden behind the life-sized trees undoubtedly looks beautiful and graceful.

Please take a closer look at the details in her work. It’s super cool!

Cause and Effect by Sam Lo

A Singaporean artist, Sam Lo (SKL0), has created an artwork in block 13 of Lodhi Colony that reflects on the ideas of freedom and interrelationship through ribbons and sparrows.

Social Media Friendly Plants by Sameer Kulavoor

Mumbai-based artist Sameer Kulavoor based his mural in block 17 of Lodhi Colony on a theme quite relevant in today’s context – life in the social media age.

He feels that algorithms broadly define and influence the way we live today.

In the mural, he particularly depicted social media influencers photographing or taking selfies with diverse plants, which, according to him, are low-maintenance, pretty Pinterest plants that help the influencers collect hundreds of likes easily.

Climate 05 – Reclaim Air and Water by Andreco

This wall in block 14 of Lodhi Colony showcases Andreco’s artwork on environmental activism and the effects of global warming.

Andreco, a scientist-artist of Italian origin, used Air-Ink (the world’s first ink upcycled from industrial pollution) in his mural to depict how rapid climate change can harm the environment if we aren’t mindful.

In his own words, “It’s pollution painted by pollution.”

The Light Fort by Yoh Nagao

In this colorful mural in block 17, Yoh Nagao blends Japanese and Indian patterns and symbols to illustrate the importance of building a community that stays together and welcomes everyone with an open heart and mind.

The Sacrosanct Whole by Aaron Glasson

New Zealand artist Aaron Glasson, mixes various elements in his mural to depict the sacredness of all the objects in the world.

He drew on cultural references from the Indus Valley Civilization and Indian history more broadly.

Colors of the Soul by Senkoe

Sankoe, a Mexican artist, painted the vibrant birds that signify the diversity of the people of Lodhi Colony and hopes to inspire them to open their hearts to each other just the way birds do through his mural.

The Lotus by Suiko

Suiko, a Japanese artist, picked the Lotus, the national flower of India, and recreated it with Japanese characters and his signature curved lines, which remain a consistent element in all his artworks.

The red sun depicts Japan, the land of the rising sun.

Fusion Art by Rakesh

Rakesh created this mural in the traditional Gond art style of Madhya Pradesh to highlight the need to maintain ecological balance.

Terracotta by Tellas

Tellas, an Italian artist, painted this masterpiece in block 16 of Lodhi Colony to represent the importance of human connection to nature.

She named it “terra cotta,” which translates to “baked earth” in Italian.

Saath Saath – Community Wall by and with the Residents of Lodhi Colony

Saath Saath (together) is a community wall in block 18, painted by residents of Lodhi Colony themselves.

The St+art team helped inhabitants of all ages and backgrounds create a mural on the issues that matter most to them.

An artist, Dattaraj Naik, gave the final shape to the artwork.

New Delhi by Nespoon

A Polish artist, Nespoon, used intricate lace motifs and doilies to create a colorful mural in block 15 of Lodhi Colony.

She says that the traditionally and vibrantly dressed women of Lodhi Colony are the inspiration behind her work.

The Tourist by Avinash and Kamesh

Inspired by the tourists who visit the Lodhi Art District to admire and photograph street art, Avinash and Kamesh depicted the social media and smartphone revolution in their mural.

Mere Rang Mein by Bond Truluv

This artwork in block 12 by German artist Bond Truluv is one of the world’s largest mixed-reality murals and among the largest augmented-reality murals in India.

The mural, when seen through an app called VuforiaViewApp, magically transforms into 3D. Isn’t it cool?

Impressions of Lodhi by Yip Yew Chong

Yip Yew Chong, a Singaporean artist, found inspiration in the people and daily life of Lodhi Colony and recreated those everyday scenes on the canvas.

I found this artwork quite vivacious.

Augmented Reality by Eugene Soh

Eugene Soh, an artist from Singapore, depicts a series of augmented reality events in his mural.

He painted a surface of Mars and a QR code that, when scanned, can take you to Mars. Other elements of graffiti include a 3D portrait of the Mona Lisa and a self-portrait.

We Love Delhi by Lek & Sowat and Hanif Kureshi

French artists Lek & Sowat collaborated with Hanif Kureshi to paint this exquisitely colorful mural in Block 5.

Inspired by the Indian festival of Holi, Sowat painted Sanskrit ciphers to create a base that Lek later half-erased to create a color-rain effect.

Hanif then painted the words “We Love Delhi” in Hindi (वी लव दिल्ली) on top of the base layer to complete the artwork.

Dilli wallahs (Delhites) are sure to love this artwork!

Nature’s Arch and Visions of Altered Landscapes by Aaron Li-Hill

This one’s my favorite.

Aaron Li-Hill, a Canadian artist, blends the western (polar bear on the left side of the wall) and eastern elements (tiger on the right side of the wall) to portray how climate change can challenge the varied landscapes in his unique artwork in block 5.

The natural archway here indicates hope and optimism.

The tigers, polar bears, men, and women in air-pollution masks rush across the canvas to save themselves from the polluted ai,r while the real-life tree protruding through the arched walkway brings positivity and hope.

Dharavi’s Flowers by Alaniz and Federica

This artwork by Alaniz and Federica features a young girl who lives in Dharavi, one of the world’s largest slums in Mumbai.

Discovery of India – Balance in Mind and Spirit by Saner

This bright orange mural in block nine by Saner, a Mexican artist, celebrates the Mexican and Indian cultures.

Saner used a variety of human and natural elements to promote understanding and appreciation of cultural differences. Each element here carries profound meaning.

Vishwaroopam by Inkbrushnme

Kadam brothers, Raj and Harsh, who run a studio, Inkbrushnme, painted a masterpiece of rich Indian mythology called Vishwaroopam on a block.

Vishwaroopa is the universal or supreme form and theophany of the Hindu God Vishnu, or his avatar Krishna, in which the entire universe resides within him.

God Krishna demonstrates his omniform known as Vishvarupa to Arjun on the 18th day of the epic battle of the Mahabharata.

The mural shines golden as sun rays fall on it, while it looks a subtle yellow as the sun goes down.

Pink by Dwa Zeta

Adorning a wall in block 9, Pink by a Polish artist Dwa Zeta represents the nature of Delhi – crammed and chaotic yet vibrant and impressive.

The artist metaphorically used a pink background to give a feminine element, as he identifies with the lack of gender equality in the city.

Katha Crazy Twins: Chiller Champa & Boom Bhaijaan by Harsh Raman

I loved this one. Harsh Raman cleverly combined the traditional Indian art of Kathakali from Kerala with the modern art of murals, concluding that art needs no words.

The twins represent the older generation who still hold on to values, culture, and heritage, and the younger generation who’s gradually letting go of old customs and traditions to embrace the new.

I Am Here by H11235

This artwork in block 19, created by H11235, weaves a fish image from plastic to deliver a powerful message: the harmful effects of human activity on the environment.

Letters for Lodhi by Yok and Sheryo

Yok and Sheryo, Singapore-based artists, created this bright yellow and attractive mural in Block 16. It’s said to be inspired by the colorful designs and slogans on Indian matchboxes.

Essentials

The Location

Lodhi Art District is located in Lodhi Colony, New Delhi. Most of the street art is located on a stretch between Khanna Market and Meherchand Market in Lodhi Colony.

How to Reach

Delhi Metro is one of the most convenient ways to reach Lodhi Colony from anywhere in Delhi/NCR.

Auto-rickshaws, Ola, and Uber are also readily available and don’t cost much.

Alternatively, you can take a local bus to reach the neighborhood. DTC buses run from different points within the city.

We traveled by our own car from Dwarka to Lodhi Colony.

Nearest Metro Stations: JLN Stadium (Violet Line) / JorBagh (Yellow Line) / INA (Pink Line)

How to Get Around or Explore Lodhi Art District

There are two ways to explore street art in Lodhi Colony – a self-guided walk and a curated tour.

Exploring the neighborhood on your own has its own perks. You are in for a surprise. Turn a corner, and you’ll discover something new.

We strolled aimlessly through the streets and discovered inspiring artworks at every turn, trying to figure out the relevance of each one.

St+Art India’s location guide can help you explore the Lodhi Art District independently.

Curated tours foster deeper understanding through their interactive nature. Your guide makes sure to uncover the story behind each mural and what inspired the artists to paint them.

You can join the curated or guided tour hosted by St+art. It takes place every Saturday from September to March from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The meeting point is India Habitat Centre Gate No. 3. The tour costs Rs. 700 per person. Here’s a link to book a tour.

Entrance Fee

Free

Opening Days and Timings

It’s accessible 24/7 every day. That’s the charm of outdoor museums 🙂

Time Required/Duration of Visit

It solely depends on person to person. A guided tour covers all the murals and lasts for two and a half hours. A self-guided walk can last for as long as you want. There’s no limit to how much time you take to absorb and photograph every mural.

It’s easy to spend an entire day strolling around the neighborhood’s leafy lanes, discovering exquisite artworks adorning the life-size walls.

We spent about 3 hours and discovered only 29 murals out of 54. I promised myself to take a curated walk with St+Art India soon to cover the ones I left.

St+Art India is doing great work. Gone are the times when art was limited to museums, art galleries, or the elite. It’s the age of a new generation of artists that holds the power to change the face of the world with their eloquent artwork.

Wondering where to stay in Delhi? Check out the best hotels to stay in Delhi.

Read our ultimate travel guide to Delhi that answers all your questions about traveling to Delhi: how many days, how to get around, where to stay, what to eat, places to visit in Delhi, and itinerary suggestions.