10 Art Galleries In Chennai For Every Art Enthusiast

A picture of art galleries in Chennai, showcasing diverse artworks in a tranquil setting.

Visiting a number of the famous art galleries in Chennai and observing the changes in artistic styles and the development of the modern art of the city is very interesting. Chennai, the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, is well endowed with great art galleries that promote Indian classic and modern art. The prepared galleries are full of rich local productions and extraordinary collections from around the world and are also perfect for secluded art lovers and tourists. Read further to discover the part and some of the best locales to understand Chennai’s vibrant art world.

Popular Art Galleries To Visit In Chennai

Here is a list of the most notable art galleries in Chennai which offer unique artefacts for every type of art lover.

1. Government Museum And National Art Gallery

A view of the Government Museum, one of the art galleries in Chennai with exhibits.

Photo: Sailko / Wikimedia Commons

Located among the best art galleries in Chennai, the Government Museum and National Art Gallery are as old as the city and host enormous exhibits from different states of India. Founded in the nineteenth century, it is listed as one of the oldest and best art galleries for antique paintings and sculptures. Visitors can view the statue collection, bronze editions, stone carvings, and paintings, which can be found in collections of Tanjore art style. It is a must-visit for anyone interested in traditional South Indian arts.

Best Time To Visit: November to February
Major Attractions: Bronze Gallery, Tanjore paintings, Amaravati sculptures, Numismatic Gallery
Nearest Railway Station: Egmore Railway Station

2. Cholamandal Artists’ Village

A view of Cholamandal Artists' Village, a popular art gallery for local art in the city.

Photo: Destination8infinity / Wikimedia Commons

Cholamandal Artists’ Village is a distinguished community that has launched the Madras Art Movement. This art gallery, also an open studio, was started in the 1960s by artists and is a self-contained artists village. As such, they offer a combination of gallery and open studios, making it probably the best in Chennai. They exhibit paintings, sculptures, and ceramics naturally within the natural environment. For anyone interested in visiting one of the best art galleries and learning beautiful stories related to contemporary Indian art, Cholamandal is a great inspiration and a nice place to stay.

Best Time To Visit: October to March
Major Attractions: Open-air sculptures, Artist Studio, Art bookstore, Seminars and Workshops
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai Central Railway Station (21 km)

3. Apparao Galleries

A picture of Apparao Galleries, one of the art galleries in Chennai for modern art.

Photo: Felicity Tai / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Apparao Galleries presents the works of contemporary Indian artists. A popular gallery, it specialises in selected exhibitions and boasts a variety of collections for lovers of painting art galleries. This contemporary art gallery currently features various artworks from new and old artists in regular periods, thus giving visitors more or less different art to observe. It is truly a treasure amongst Chennai’s art galleries, providing private exhibitions as well as public exhibitions of the latest in contemporary Indian art.

Major Attractions: Contemporary art displays, curated exhibitions, cultural talks
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai Egmore Railway Station

4. Dakshina Chitra Museum

 A view of DakshinaChitra Museum, one of the cultural art galleries in Chennai.

Photo: Mohan Babu V / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

This is a mixture of culture and everything related to the painting art gallery in Chennai; it is not merely a museum but also a painting art gallery called DakshinaChitra, meant to represent South Indian heritage. They showcase folk art, crafts, and paintings from South India that are thoroughly real. It gives an actual feel of the architecture and lifestyle of the villages. This art gallery in Chennai offers visitors a cultural and artistic tour through Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.

Best Time To Visit: November to February
Major Attractions: Folk performance theatre, Handicrafts, Recreated heritage homes, Folk art exhibitions
Nearest Railway Station: Tambaram Railway Station

5. Focus Art Gallery

A view inside Focus Art Gallery, one of the contemporary art galleries in Chennai.

Photo: Viktor Talashuk / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Chennai’s best art galleries consist of the Focus Art Gallery, which caters to the modern art lover as it deals with modern art and explores more art forms. It is a contemporary art gallery that showcases the art of the present time with a focus on media art, new genres of public art, installation art, and new avatars of art. People will also find entertainment facilities and have a chance to interact directly with new talents from different parts of India.

Major Attractions: Experimental exhibits, Mixed media art, Artist installations
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai Egmore Railway Station

6. Ashvita Art Gallery

A view of Ashvita Art Gallery, one of the art galleries in Chennai with curated exhibits.

Photo: Andrew Neel / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Ashvita Art Gallery is another recognized art gallery that is quite lively compared to some other art galleries that combine traditional and contemporary art for display. Accustomed to movie screenings, workshops, and cultural discussions, it is one of the best places to interact in an art gallery in Chennai known for its community-like atmosphere. This is where one can find up-and-coming artists and competent samples of classical Indian graphic and studio arts, primarily visual and applied.

Major Attractions: Vintage art, Film screenings, Workshops, Curated exhibitions
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai Central Railway Station

7. Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre

 A picture of Lalit Kala Akademi, a key art gallery for traditional and contemporary arts.

Photo: Gül Işık / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Being an essential cultural organisation, Lalit Kala Akademi is one of the best art galleries, exhibiting both Indian traditional and contemporary art forms. One of the famous painting art galleries focuses on painting and other things, perhaps from painting to multimedia. It now supports exhibitions and art talks from established Indian artists; this gallery continually makes Amritsar an active art town.

Major Attractions: Art exhibitions, Sculptures, Visual arts workshops, Multimedia art
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai Egmore Railway Station

8. Artworld Sarala’s Art Centre

A picture of Artworld Sarala’s, a historic art gallery with diverse pieces and artefacts.

Photo: ArtHouse Studio / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

A heritage art gallery of Chennai, Artworld Sarala’s Art Centre was established in 1967 and has established itself as one of the city’s premier art galleries. This art gallery also specialises in paintings, sculpture, and drawings and is another prime gallery for art lovers in Chennai. This gallery features at the top of art galleries for anyone who wishes to dig deeper into the richness of South India’s artistry.

Major Attractions: Traditional and contemporary South Indian art, Sculpture installations
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai Central Railway Station

9. Phoenix Marketcity Art Gallery

A view of the stunning Phoenix Marketcity Gallery, a modern art gallery in a mall.

Photo: Phil Evenden / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Situated in the busy Phoenix Marketcity, art is a relatively new touch to art galleries. It is known for its global character and visitor-friendly high-tech displays. Visitors under 40 may enjoy an advanced and futuristic selection of contemporary fine art, making it one of the best art galleries for contemporary art. Interactive installations and a wide variety of artworks can be seen by anybody who wishes to visit.

Major Attractions: Digital art, Experimental installations, Rotating exhibits
Nearest Railway Station: Velachery Railway Station

10. Sri Parvati Gallery

A view of Sri Parvati Gallery, a heritage art gallery with cultural displayand visual arts.

Photo: Una Laurencic / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Being located in a heritage bungalow, Sri Parvati Gallery is still a low-profile art gallery in Chennai, yet the atmosphere is rather romantic. This gallery deals mainly with the Visual Arts and hosts art exhibitions by artists frequently, as well as art workshops and other cultural activities. Being one of the leading art galleries in Chennai, it focuses on cultural education and appreciation of the arts. Out of all the painting art galleries, visiting Sri Parvati Gallery would be highly helpful because it provides a comfortable, home-like environment and is highly relaxing.

Major Attractions: Art workshops, Cultural events, Heritage architecture
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai Egmore Railway Station

The top art galleries in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, give an enthralling tour of India’s conventional and contemporary arts. These several galleries throughout Chennai show off aesthetic versatility, creating a perfect view for art enthusiasts, as well as historic collections like the Government Museum or Focus Art Gallery. Plan a trip with TripXL and explore art galleries in Chennai seamlessly.

Cover Photo: $nowPearl / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

Entry to most art galleries is free; however, a few, including the Government Museum and Dakshina Chitra, charge fees.
Yes, many galleries, including Cholamandal Artists’ Village and Ashvita Art Gallery, hold workshops, artist talks, and other forms of engagement.
DakshinaChitra Museum is a museum that focuses explicitly on the arts and culture of South Indian folk arts and regional arts and crafts, and it exhibits crafts based on regional architectural models.
Some art galleries include Apparao Galleries and Focus Art Gallery, which display traditional Indian art and contemporary and innovative art.
Yes, an art gallery in Phoenix Marketcity Fashion Mall showcases modern art in a digital or interactive form that gives art lovers a different experience while shopping in the mall.

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