NGMA Mumbai Hosts People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Nikas Safronov’s Landmark Exhibition ‘Dream Vision’

The most well-known contemporary Russian artist Nikas Safronov, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, presents ‘Dream Vision’ – a major solo exhibition opening today at the prestigious National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, on view until 15 January 2026. Conceived exclusively for public viewing, the exhibition is entirely devoid of any commercial intent, underscoring its mission as a cultural and educational initiative.

Safronov’s debut Indian exhibition at the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, concluded this December after drawing a large number of visitors in just 14 days, emerging as one of the most widely attended international art exhibitions in recent memory.  According to estimates by the city’s police, the total number of visitors reached 5,60,000, making the project the largest social and cultural event of the season nationwide. Building on this unprecedented public response, the Mumbai edition promises an equally compelling artistic and cultural experience.

The Mumbai exhibition presents 45 paintings at the NGMA dome spanning key phases of Safronov’s career, tracing the evolution of his distinctive artistic language. The works encompass classical painting, symbolism, landscapes, and the artist’s celebrated signature style, ‘Dream Vision’ – a genre that blends realism with philosophical introspection and subconscious imagery.

Created especially for Indian audiences, this body of work reflects Safronov’s admiration for India’s history, spirituality, mythology, and architectural heritage. These works offer artistic interpretations of India’s civilisational legacy.

The exhibition is conceived around a dialogue between classical artistic practice and contemporary digital tools. Through immersive multimedia installations and carefully integrated artificial intelligence elements, visitors are invited to experience the artworks in expanded dimensions. Technology serves to enhance, not replace the artist’s hand, animating compositions, illuminating symbolic details, and creating the sensation of stepping into the canvas itself. For example, Safronov’s team has created a special set design for NGMA, which takes into account the architecture of the iconic UNESCO monument building. A specially developed spatial sound design further heightens the experience, subtly directing attention and deepening emotional engagement with each work.

“New Delhi gave us a record that will become part of my personal history. But I hope it was only the beginning of something bigger. If New Delhi is primarily a business city, Mumbai has a special aura: there are countless galleries and museums here, creativity, cinema, and fashion pulse through the city, and its avant-garde art movements are known far beyond India. I believe the audience here is different… more sophisticated, and I am eagerly awaiting their response to my work,” shares Safronov. This exhibition is our joint New Year’s gift to India together with Rosneft, and every element has been carefully designed as a dialogue with the viewer,” he adds.

The exhibitions in India form part of a broader cultural initiative supported by Rosneft, positioning art as a meaningful instrument of international dialogue and cultural diplomacy. Russia and India share a long-standing strategic and cultural partnership, and Safronov’s exhibitions underscore the role of art in strengthening people-to-people connections and fostering mutual understanding.

Recognised globally for his contribution to contemporary art and cultural diplomacy, Nikas Safronov, who has been painting professionally since 1973, has created over 50 portraits of heads of state. These include world figures such as the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Donald Trump, His Holiness Pope Francis among others. In 2025, Safronov’s standing as a global cultural figure was further reinforced when he was received in a private audience by His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican, where the Pontiff blessed the artist’s international exhibition programme. His works are held in prestigious museum and private collections worldwide, including those of royal families, spiritual leaders, political figures, and international celebrities.

IAS Nidhi Choudhari, Director NGMA Mumbai, expresses, “We are delighted to collaborate with the Embassy of the Russian Federation for the first-ever solo exhibition of renowned artist Nikas Safronov at NGMA Mumbai. It is truly an honour to host this landmark showcase and present his mesmerising works, seamlessly integrated with the latest technological innovations in the field of art and immersive media. The exhibition will remain on view till 15th January, offering audiences a unique confluence of classical mastery and contemporary art-tech expression.”

Exhibition Details:
Venue: National Gallery of Modern Art, Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort.
Dates: December, 30 2025 – January 15, 2026
Entry: Free