The Art Of Collecting: Modern & Contemporary Art at the Giftex Online Auction
There’s a quiet thrill that comes with an art auction. The shift from the physical saleroom to the digital screen has not diminished the magic of the art auction. If anything, it has reshaped it. As the auction goes live, screens light up, collectors log in from different cities and time zones, and the familiar rhythm of bidding begins.
Online auctions offer a rare advantage: time. Collectors are not rushed by the pace of a room or distracted by the energy of a crowd. They can return to work repeatedly, zoom in on details, compare pieces, review prices, and reflect before placing a bid.
The digital format also makes the process more democratic. Whether a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer, everyone has equal access to the catalogue and the same opportunity to participate. The Modern & Contemporary Art Auction at Giftex Online, scheduled for January 19 and 20, 2026, promises exactly that kind of anticipation.
This is not just another auction on the calendar. It is a carefully curated selection that reflects the depth, diversity, and evolving confidence of Indian art. As the digital gavel prepares to fall, here is a closer look at why this auction matters, why Indian art continues to captivate, and which lots are already drawing the attention of discerning collectors.
Also Read: Allure of Abstract Art and Decorating With Them
The Enduring Appeal of Art Auctions
Art auctions occupy a unique space in the cultural ecosystem. They are part marketplace, part theatre, and part archive of taste. Unlike gallery visits, auctions place works in direct dialogue with value, history, and demand. Every bid carries intention. Every hammer price tells a story.
Online auctions, in particular, have opened the doors wider. Collectors can now participate from anywhere, study catalogues at leisure, and bid with confidence without the pressure of a crowded saleroom. Giftex Online Auction has steadily built credibility by offering well-researched works, transparent processes, and access to quality art that appeals to both established and emerging collectors.
Modern and Contemporary Indian Art: A Living Legacy
Indian modern and contemporary art holds a rare balance. It is rooted in tradition yet unafraid of reinvention. Modern artists broke away from colonial academic styles to explore identity, mythology, and abstraction on their own terms. Contemporary artists, in turn, respond to urban life, politics, memory, and materiality with fresh perspectives.
Previewing the Auction: Highlights and Themes
The January 2026 sale brings together works that reflect both mastery and experimentation. There is a noticeable emphasis on strong compositions, confident use of colour, and themes that resonate beyond their time.
Collectors will find paintings that explore human relationships, abstractions that play with form and rhythm, and contemporary pieces that challenge conventional materials and narratives.
Alongside paintings and works on paper, the auction also features fine sculptures by established masters.
Highlights Of The Upcoming Auction
While every collector’s eye is different, a few lots are already generating conversation and are expected to attract competitive bidding.
- Lot No. 295, Vinod Sharma
Untitled
Medium: Oil on canvas
This work by Vinod Sharma stands out as a quiet yet immersive landscape, one that draws the viewer in through rhythm, restraint, and an almost meditative use of colour. Executed in oil on canvas, the painting reflects the artist’s long-standing engagement with landscape as both a physical place and an inner experience.
Shades of deep blue, turquoise, muted greys, and earthy browns flow into one another, creating a sense of movement and stillness at the same time.
- Lot No. 95 K. M. Adimoolam
Visibility of the Rock Temple
Medium: Oil on canvas
This powerful painting by K. M. Adimoolam captures the essence of place not through literal depiction, but through structure, memory, and emotion. Visibility of the Rock Temple is a striking example of the artist’s ability to translate architectural and cultural landmarks into a language of abstraction that feels both grounded and evocative.
Adimoolam’s brushwork is confident and textured. Thick, expressive strokes create a tactile surface, giving the painting a sense of weight and permanence.
- Lot No. 71, Dhananjay Singh
Untitled Sculpture
Medium: Stainless steel & bronze
This striking sculpture by Dhananjay Singh brings together strength, growth, and quiet symbolism through a compelling mix of materials and form. Rising from a rugged bronze base that resembles an exposed root or weathered earth, a delicate yet resilient plant form emerges, rendered in polished stainless steel.
Singh’s choice of materials is deliberate. Bronze carries weight and history, while stainless steel speaks of modernity, resilience, and permanence.
- Lot No. 221, Krishen Khanna
Untitled
Medium: Mixed media on paper
This is an evocative work by Krishen Khanna, one of India’s most respected modern masters.
Rendered with economy and sensitivity, the drawing focuses on a solitary palm tree, its trunk rising firmly while its fronds spread outward in loose, energetic strokes. The surface is alive with texture. Soft, layered marks create a sense of movement in the foliage, while the background remains deliberately sparse, allowing the central elements to breathe.
Presented in the upcoming auction, this Untitled work will appeal to collectors who value Krishen Khanna’s quieter, more introspective pieces.
- Lot No. 94, Suryakant Lokhande
Untitled
Medium: High gloss oil on canvas
This pop art work by Suryakant Lokhande draws on the visual language of classic animation, transforming beloved, timeless cartoon figures into a contemporary painted surface. Through a polished, high-gloss finish and vibrant colour, the artist captures the spirit of childhood nostalgia and immortalises these familiar characters on canvas, reimagined within a dreamlike, floating world. The result is a playful yet carefully executed work that bridges popular culture and fine art, inviting viewers to reconnect with memory, humour, and imagination.
Smart Bidding: Tips for Collectors
Whether you are an experienced bidder or new to online auctions, preparation is key. Here are a few practical tips to help you bid with confidence at the Giftex Online Auction.
- Register early
Make sure you complete your registration well before the auction dates. This avoids last-minute issues and gives you time to familiarise yourself with the platform.
- Study the catalogue carefully
Read descriptions, examine images closely, and note condition reports. A well-studied catalogue is your best guide during the auction.
- Research the artist and their body of work
Understanding an artist’s career, themes, and market trajectory adds depth to your decision-making. It also helps you recognise value beyond surface appeal.
- Review past auction results
Looking at previous sales gives you a realistic sense of pricing. It helps you identify whether a lot is attractively estimated or likely to exceed expectations.
- Set a budget and bid consistently
Decide your maximum bid in advance and stick to it. Consistent bidding signals seriousness, but discipline ensures you don’t overextend.
- Aim to place the final, confident bid
Online auctions reward timing. Staying attentive toward the close and placing a decisive final bid can make all the difference.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss This Opportunity
The Modern & Contemporary Art Auction held by Giftex Online Auction House on January 19 and 20, 2026, is more than a sale. It is a snapshot of Indian art’s ongoing journey, offering works that speak to history, emotion, and innovation.
For collectors, this is a chance to acquire pieces that will not only grow in value but also enrich daily life. For art lovers, it is an invitation to engage, learn, and participate in the dynamic world of auctions.
As the countdown begins, one thing is certain: this is a preview worth paying attention to. Don’t miss it.
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