If 2025 was a year filled with recalibration, 2026 is a year of refining art and embracing new moods. Buyers are still collecting, galleries are still selling, and fairs are thriving, but the motivation in the design world is taking a shift. Across studios, exhibitions, and global art hubs, a clear direction is emerging. Art in the year 2026 is moving towards deeper connection, greater physical presence, and a growing appreciation for human craft in a world that is saturated with digital imagery.
Indian Design ID 2026 was here with its 14th Edition themed ‘The Age of Syncretism’ with 150+ prominent Indian and International artists showcasing craft under one roof. Here, discourse and creativity bloomed through discussions on the design of the future. Apart from this, the French Art de Vivre pavilion returns as one of the fair’s central eye-catching attractions by focusing on craftsmanship and creativity while showcasing evolving design with a touch of tradition. The focus was mainly on sustainability, reflecting a mindset where Earth is seen as a space above our personal space.
The brands include Asian Paints, KOHLER, Jaipur Rugs, and Sonos. Segments like Experience & Editions, Design, The New Guard, and ID Collectible map everything from new global launches and craft reinterpretations to emerging studios and large-scale immersive works. Beyond just being a trade fair, it operates as a cultural checkpoint where the industry collectively negotiates aesthetics, sustainability, craft, and collectibility. The outcome is less about individual objects and more about evolving ideas of the contemporary Indian home.
A walkthrough of exhibition halls was filled with a visual pattern that quickly settled in curved silhouettes, brushed metals, textured stone, sculptural lighting, and muted palettes. Ornamentation has receded; tactility took centre stage. The fair was framed as a meeting point for tradition and technology. The overall theme of syncretism was subtle. The craft appeared not just as nostalgia, but as a strategy integrated within minimalist forms, reengineered for contemporary markets.
By positioning Art de Vivre à la francaise as the prime attraction, France and India reaffirmed how traditional taste and contemporary innovation mutually reinforce each other. This edition reflects the capacity of French and Indian artisans, designers, and creative industries to change ancestral techniques into modern solutions and cross-cultural collaboration that shapes the innovation of tomorrow. Top 16 French Houses showcased their mastery, encompassing tableware, home accessories, and gastronomy. The event underscored a vibrant dialogue between French and Indian creativity, converging to shape the aesthetics and materials of tomorrow.
India Design 2026 is not just about objects on display. It is about direction-setting. About how rapidly urbanising, increasingly design-literate India imagines comfort, status, responsibility, and beauty, all at once. The modern Indian homes are not ordinary anymore, but are striving for confidence and are globally conversant. The challenge lies in ensuring it is also distinct and accountable.
This is the time when the design world celebrates human touch and timeless craft. ConnectArt brings concepts to life through sculptural innovation and design-led execution. Whether for spaces, installations, or artworks, transform vision into enduring physical presence. Connect with us to shape your next artistic environment.