New Delhi, Feb. 2 -- Indian art is having a moment. The Hurun India Art List of 2024 recorded staggering sales for the top 50 artists from the country at Rs.301 crore-a 19% increase from 2023. Even the entry point for the top 10 artists rose from Rs.1.99 crore in 2021 to Rs.7.70 crore in 2024, close to a 300% increase.

Art as an investment isn't a new idea, but there seems to be a fresh infusion of interest, led by aspiring collectors in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. In a departure from convention, many are looking for art that is against the grain-diverse, digitally produced, carrying a value that isn't merely measurable with money. They are looking for personal stories that resonate with them.

"A major shift happened during the covid-19 pa...