The Wick Culture - Aarti Lohia. Photography by noorunisa

Monday Muse

Interview Philanthropist, Aesthete, Art Collector, Aarti Lohia

Interview

Aarti Lohia

Photography

Noorunisa

07 April 2025

Interview

Aarti Lohia

Photography

Noorunisa

07 April 2025

As a council and board member of leading, prestigious museums and galleries in London, Aarti Lohia has supported many artists in their careers. Lohia is noted as one of the world’s top art collectors, and her philanthropic work as Trustee of the SP Lohia Foundation has won global recognition. She belongs to various international councils and committees, including: Victoria & Albert Museum’s International Council, the South Asian Acquisitions Committee at Tate Modern, the Serpentine Gallery’s International Council, the British Fashion Council Foundation, and MOMA’s David Rockefeller Council. She also serves as a Trustee of The South London Gallery. Indian-born Lohia is also the founding patron of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. We hear more about how her passion for art was first ignited, her current initiatives, and her more recent passion for chess.

THE WICK: You are a passionate art patron, and this includes supporting various initiatives such as the current Arpita Singh exhibition Remembering at the Serpentine – what started your love affair with the arts?

Aarti Lohia: My passion for the arts took shape when I moved to Indonesia in 1999. Immersed in a new culture where craftsmanship and artistic expression were a way of life, I connected with emerging artists striving to take their work global. Inspired, I began collecting and deepening my knowledge of contemporary art. Around the same time, some collector friends in India introduced me to India’s emerging art scene and I was visiting a lot of museums and galleries on my travels. Supporting Arpita Singh’s prolific and genre-defining work align with my commitment to elevating Indian and underrepresented artists on the global stage.

TW: You are a founding patron of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, one of India’s most prominent contemporary art events. It’s sixth edition takes place in December – what is your ultimate dream to achieve with this project and what are you excited about this year?

AL: The Kochi-Muziris Biennale has grown into one of Asia’s premier art destinations – a remarkable achievement for a collective dedicated to nurturing independent artistic voices across styles and forms. As a trustee, I work closely with our management team to discover and showcase emerging artists who push creative boundaries. Our long-term vision is to establish Kochi as a global hub for contemporary art, sculpture, and multimedia. Throughout the year, we seek out ground-breaking, thought-provoking works with a strong focus on sustainability. With each edition, we aim to attract more international artists while amplifying Asian talent on the world stage.

TW: Your favourite Culturally Curious spot to visit in London, off the beaten path?

AL: Not necessarily off the beaten path, but I sit on the board of the South London Gallery, an institution in Peckham led by the inspiring director Margot Heller. Its stellar programme is internationally renowned, drawing not only visitors from the UK but also from overseas. Margot’s programme is at the forefront of what’s happening in the contemporary art world and is always worth a visit. South London Gallery is also known for its award-winning education programme and for providing a creative hub for their local community. Our foundation was honoured to be the lead supporter for their recent exhibition by Iranian artist Nairy Baghramian.

TW: Advice to those wanting to be involved in art patronage or philanthropy? What do you think philanthropists need to be thinking about now?

AL: Philanthropists are led by a strong desire to make change. The first step is passion. If you are not passionate you can forget about the second step – creating impact. Also, philanthropy is about relationships – so identify a cause or an institution you resonate with. It is important to find what you relate to and commit to helping them develop over a period. It is also essential for philanthropy to be sustainable. Any support given should continue over time.

“Philanthropists are led by a strong desire to make change. The first step is passion. If you are not passionate you can forget about the second step – creating impact.”

The Wick Culture - Aarti Lohia, Chess documentary

The Wick Culture - Aarti Lohia, Bettina Korek, and Hans Ulrich Obrist at Arpita Singh opening

TW: Recently your interests have also evolved to chess – and improving access and visibility for the sport in the UK. What do you appreciate about the game and seeing your son so involved?

AL: Chess has been a long-standing part of our family, evolving into a deeper passion as our son Sohum competes internationally. Beyond its association with intellects, chess shapes the way people think and improves our decision-making abilities. My focus is on promoting chess globally – as a tool for cognitive development, and one that fosters problem-solving and critical thinking in schools. And cultivates leadership in business and government. Unlike other individual sports like golf or tennis, I appreciate chess needs minimal resources and is inexpensive to learn yet yields profound, life-changing benefits. I like its strategic nature. As parents, we take immense pride in Sohum’s achievements and remain committed to supporting his journey in the sport.

TW: Having lived in vibrant cities like Jakarta, Singapore, and now London, how have different cultures inspired you?

AL: I have always had interest in design but in Indonesia I really got to experience art and culture in music, crafts, textiles. Their level of craftsmanship is incredible, extending to architecture, for example, we have a house in Bali made entirely of bamboo. So living with such creativity day-to-day was a very special time of my life. In Singapore, I delved into contemporary art with the rise of the Indian artist globally and to experience that connection as a diaspora made me feel proud of my heritage. London was never on the cards when I got married. Yet when I got here, I took to the city instantly. I feel the most alive and inspired here.

TW: Which fashion designer are you loving at the moment?

AL: Right now, I’m loving Suket Dhir. He is a good friend and amazing at what he does. His designs strike the perfect balance between heritage and modernity. I admire how he reinvents traditional Indian textiles—like handwoven khadi and silk—into effortlessly stylish, global pieces. His approach to menswear (and now womenswear) feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new. Plus, his focus on slow fashion and craftsmanship really resonates with me because I appreciate clothes that tell a story and stand the test of time.

TW: Who is your ultimate Monday Muse?

AL: My ultimate Monday muse is the London-based artist Es Devlin. I met Es at a party many years ago. She was lovely and engaging and in a matter of minutes we exchanged many stories. I was amazed by how deeply she thinks about everything she creates. Her work isn’t just visually striking—it has layers of meaning, whether she’s designing a stage, an installation, or an immersive space. She brings a cinematic, almost dreamlike quality to everything she touches. What I love most is her fearless creativity—she pushes boundaries and redefines how we experience art and space. It reminds me to start my week with intention, to think beyond the obvious, and to approach my own work with depth and curiosity.