Great art can be found anywhere; you just have to know where to look. This is especially true in Lucknow, which is home to both established and emerging artists. So, where can you check out their work? Here is our selection of the best five galleries for all the art connoisseurs in the city.
State Lalit Kala Akademi
State Lalit Kala Akademi, located in Lal Baradari Bhawan, was founded in 1962 by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Culture. As per the official website of the Akademi, outstanding works of art have been collected from various exhibitions, shows and camps, since the existence of the Akademi. Specialised exhibitions are organised in the Modern Art Gallery of the Akademi throughout the year, eelecting from a vast reserve collection of almost 1800 works consisting of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and graphics. The Akademi conducts a variety of events with the goal of promoting and giving a platform to renowned as well as emerging artists to showcase their talent.
Timings: 9.30 am to 6 pm
Location: Lal Baradari Bhavan, Near Old High Court, Qaiserbagh, Lucknow
Website: http://1.22.155.172/LalitKalaAkademi/
Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre
Lucknow is one of the few cities in the country where there is not one, but two Lalit Kala Akademis! Apart from the State Lalit Kala Akademi, the regional centre in Aliganj, Lucknow is also a buzzing centre for art and culture. The Regional Centers of the Akademi are located in Delhi, Chennai, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata apart from Lucknow for the development of art. Apart from hosting art and photography exhibitions from time to time, the Regional Lalit Kala Akademi in Lucknow also has a work place for the artists namely community workshops for all the disciplines of visual art.
Timings: 10 am to 6 pm
Location: 1- Ekta Vihar, Aliganj, Kapoorthala Road, Sector E, Lucknow,
Website: http://1.22.155.172/LalitKalaAkademi/
Hussainabad Picture Gallery
The Picture Gallery, built in 1838 by Nawab Mohammed Ali Shah, exhibits full-length portraits of Awadh’s nawabs and pictures of the administrators and officials of the British era. These life-size portraits were painted by visiting European painters including Dawling, Gravet, and Harrison, as well as an Indian artist named DS Singh. As you go by them, you may notice that their eyes, heads, and accessories, such as shoes, appear to be pointed towards you, leaving you spellbound. As per the legend, these paintings are said to have been done on elephant skin, and the colour used to fill them were created with the help of diamonds and gems, and are painted in such a manner that the different parts seem to move with the angle of view.
Ticket: ₹20
Location: Opposite Chhota Imambara, Near Husainabad Clock Tower, Lucknow
Timings: 10 am to 4 pm
Kalasrot Art Gallery
Kalasrot is a private art gallery committed to promoting contemporary art practices in all visual art disciplines. It has art works ranging from graphics to sculptures and paintings on display. While its online gallery provides a glimpse into their current collections, it also allows art enthusiasts everywhere easy access to Kalasrot’s displayed artworks.
Timings: 11 am to 9 pm
Location: A1/9B,Sector-B,Near Nehru bal vatika, Aliganj, Lucknow
Website: http://www.kalasrotartgallery.com/
Saraca Art Gallery
The Saraca Art Gallery is known for hosting group art shows by contemporary artists such as Dheeraj Yadav and Bhupender Asthana, as well as solo art exhibitions curated by art connoisseur Vandana Sehgal. It is located at hotel Lebua, a heritage boutique hotel in a traditional 19th-century bungalow. Please check if an art show is on at the gallery before landing there.
Location: 19, Sarva Palli, Saraca Estate, The Mall Avenue, Lucknow
Timings: 11 am to 7 pm
Cosmos Art Gallery
Opened in 2014, Cosmos Art Gallery by Dr. Aron hosts contemporary art exhibitions, both solo, and group, ranging from a collection of sculptures to paintings and photography shows by up-and-coming artist. Apart from hosting artists to exhibit their works, they also conduct art promotion workshops and classes.
Location: 41, Prag Narayan Rd, Butler Colony, Lucknow
Timings: 11 am to 7 pm, Thursday Closed
