Join Amber Li, Assistant Curator, as she leads a tour of The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975-1998.
Featuring artwork by over 30 Indian artists, this major exhibition is bookended by two transformative events in India’s history: Indira Gandhi’s declaration of a state of emergency in 1975 and the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998. The fraught period between these years was marked by social upheaval, economic collapse, and rapid urbanisation.
Within this turbulence, ordinary life continued, and artists made work that distilled historically significant episodes as well as intimate moments and shared experiences. Across a range of media, the vivid, urgent works on show – about friendship, love, desire, family, religion, violence, caste, community, protest – are deeply personal documents from a period of tremendous change. This is the first institutional exhibition to cover these definitive years, with many works never before seen in the UK.
Ticket prices
Members and Members Plus enjoy 20% off ticket prices for this event.
No booking fee. Discounted tickets subject to availability.
£5
Age 14–25? Join Young Barbican for free
Subject to availability.
Universal Credit: £14
Students: £14
Over-65s: £14
Art Fund Members: £10
Under 14s: Free
Discounts are subject to availability. They cannot be combined to make greater savings.
In purchasing concession tickets, you agree that they will only be used by a person with those needs. Please bring proof of discount status where possible.
Booking fees
£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
See more art for less
Art Gallery
Location
The Art Gallery is located on Level 3 and can be accessed by stairs and lifts from Level G or via the Sculpture Court if coming from outside.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Access
Doors normally in open position during exhibition hours. Ticket desk 98cm with a drop section of 76cm. Step-free access on each floor of the Art Gallery.
Mobility
The Art Gallery has two levels, linked by a flight of 24 stairs with an intermediate landing. A passengeroperated lift (76 x 110cm) connects the two floors. If you need assistance, staff will be happy to help.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the gallery staff during your visit.
Large-print exhibition information
To request a large print copy, please call the Art Gallery on 020 7382 2382 before your visit.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
Enhanced security measures are currently in place at the Barbican.
As part of these measures only one reasonably-sized bag (no larger than 32cm L x 18cm W x 22cm H) per person may be taken inside our venues and all bags may be searched by a member of our team.
We ask that, where possible, visitors avoid bringing large bags to the Centre. If you do need to check bags into our free cloakrooms, we suggest arriving early. All bags deposited will be subject to search and random bag searches are also in operation.
Please also remember that belongings should not be left unattended at any time.
Thank you for your understanding – we look forward to welcoming you to the Barbican.
