Hyderabad has become the stage for a groundbreaking artistic moment—India’s first Pop Art Gallery, unveiled as part of Design Democracy 2025 at HITEX. Known for its bold colors, playful satire, and commentary on consumer culture, Pop Art finds a new home in India through this vibrant showcase.
The gallery offers more than just aesthetic pleasure; it immerses visitors in a world of wit, irony, and critique. One of the highlights is a lenticular artwork that shifts from Van Gogh’s portrait into Salvador Dalí, creating a clever visual puzzle. Another striking piece depicts a monkey lounging on a sofa, sipping Coke, and watching Netflix—an image that humorously reflects modern consumer habits while poking fun at cultural obsessions.
Curated by Dhanushree of The Designera, the gallery brings together global icons and Indian interpretations of Pop Art. Andy Warhol’s influence resonates throughout, but it is Indian artists like Sanush Birla and Megha Sachdev who redefine the genre with local twists. Birla’s reinterpretation of “The Last Supper” with Marvel superheroes is both humorous and thought-provoking, while another artwork transforms Popeye into a champagne-toting figure, merging childhood nostalgia with adult satire.
The exhibition proves that Pop Art is not only about bright imagery—it is about conversation. Each work challenges the audience to think about how consumerism, celebrity culture, and even tradition shape daily life. Hyderabad’s cosmopolitan setting makes it the perfect launchpad for such a bold movement.
Adding depth to the event, the Museum of Telangana contributes a special section titled “Stone and Shade,” curated by Supraja Rao. Here, visitors are invited to write their wishes on golden discs, echoing the practice of tying threads to sacred trees at temples. This blend of ritual and interactivity connects tradition with modern expression, reminding audiences that cultural heritage can also be reimagined in contemporary contexts.
The Pop Art Gallery is not just about appreciating visuals; it’s about engaging with them. By making space for satire and play, it encourages viewers to laugh, question, and reflect. As Rao notes, “If we put our filter coffee on that pedestal, it will be celebrated worldwide”—a sentiment that captures the spirit of elevating the everyday into art.
With India’s first Pop Art Gallery, Hyderabad signals a new chapter where art is bold, accessible, and unafraid to speak the language of the present.