Bhavna Kakar is an arts entrepreneur, gallerist, curator, publisher and writer whose work has made a significant contribution to the contemporary art landscape in India and South Asia. She is the Founder-Director of *LATITUDE 28*, New Delhi, and the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of *TAKE on Art*, an independent contemporary art journal. Through her vision and entrepreneurial approach, she has built platforms that bring together artists, writers, collectors and cultural practitioners, fostering new ideas and conversations around contemporary art.
Trained as a painter at the Government College of Art, Chandigarh, Kakar holds a postgraduate degree in Art History from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. She began her professional journey as an independent curator before establishing LATITUDE 28 in 2010, with a vision to challenge conventional approaches to exhibiting and engaging with art.
Under her leadership, LATITUDE 28 has evolved into a pioneering platform for emerging and established South Asian artists, particularly those exploring experimental practices, new media and innovative approaches to material and form. The gallery has presented its programme at leading international art platforms, including Art Dubai, Art SG and Artissima, Turin, while building a diverse network of artists, collectors and institutions across the world. Her curatorial practice spans a wide range of exhibitions and projects, engaging with contemporary art, cultural histories, identity and memory.
In 2009, Kakar founded *TAKE on Art*, at a time when independent art criticism and writing were receiving limited mainstream attention. Under her editorship, the magazine has developed into an important voice in South Asian art discourse, bringing together perspectives on art, architecture, photography, design, fashion, film and performance. Through initiatives such as the TAKE on Writing series, workshops, symposiums and the Art Writers’ Award, established in collaboration with the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, she has consistently worked towards strengthening art writing and nurturing new critical voices in the region. *TAKE Pop Up*, an initiative of the magazine, further extends its engagement with artists and creative communities.
Beyond her work as a gallerist and publisher, Kakar has played an active role in developing the wider art ecosystem. She is the co-founder of *Delhi Contemporary Art Week*, established in 2017, and has served on the juries of several prominent art awards, including the Raza Puraskar, the Art Scribes’ Award and the Alpine Fellowship. She has participated in international conversations at Art Basel Hong Kong, Sharjah Biennale, Art Dubai and the Dhaka Art Summit, contributing to discussions on contemporary art and its evolving global landscape.
Kakar’s writings have appeared in leading publications including *Robb Report India, Vogue India, ELLE DECOR* and *Mint Lounge*, among others. Her contribution to the arts has been recognised through several awards and international fellowships, including the *Arts Entrepreneur of the Year Award* from the Young FICCI Ladies Organisation in 2017. She has also received fellowships and residencies from institutions including the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, the Office for Contemporary Art Norway, the Danish Arts Council and the Polish Arts Council.
