Method Opens in Delhi with Fresh Produce

Art has often been out of reach for many, and for young artists, breaking into the art scene can feel like an even greater challenge. That's where Method comes in. Founded in 2019 by Sahil Arora, Method aims to make art more accessible to the public and provide a platform for young artists to bring their conversations, ideas, and creativity into the mainstream. After making waves in Mumbai, the gallery is now coming to Delhi! The opening exhibition, Fresh Produce, brings forth fifty new artists in their new space.

We talk to the founder about his and Method’s journey, the role of art and the opening exhibition.

Tell me about how you opened Method in 2019. What was the vision? And what are your plans for the future?
So, 2019 was when Method kind of started by chance. I don't come from an art background, but over the decade leading up to 2019, I traveled a lot. Every time I traveled, I visited many galleries and museums around the world with my wife. And in Bombay, that never really happened. So, we felt there wasn’t a space in Bombay where you could just casually visit a gallery without feeling like you had to be an art collector or part of the elite crowd.

I used to work in advertising and marketing, and I had just started consulting independently. I needed a private office space to work from, so I rented the mezzanine space in Kala Ghoda, which was meant to be my office at the time. But when I opened it up, I thought it would make a great gallery space.

The idea was to create a space where we were comfortable, and in turn, make it comfortable for everyone else. A space that was truly accessible, where anyone could come, not just to look at art, but to spend time and hang out. I wanted it to feel more social, like it does in the rest of the world. And because of my background in design and advertising, I had come across a lot of graphic designers whose work I found interesting but who didn’t have a platform to showcase it. It extended beyond that—art from my generation that wasn’t being exhibited in India.

Method was just a spontaneous response to these things that I felt were missing in the city. We decided, "Let’s just do it; how hard can it be?" So, that's how Method began in 2019. In 2020, we opened Method Bandra, which was more of an outpost, making the space even more casual by adding a café, so people could spend more time there. After the lockdown in 2021, when things reopened, we expanded the Kala Ghoda space, adding the downstairs to the gallery. Now, we're working on bringing the same vision to Delhi—making it more accessible, creating a space for people to engage with others with similar interests, and making art a social activity. People can experience it without the pressure to purchase or collect.

So, the vision has always been the same: create an accessible space that’s comfortable for everyone.

Since you were not in the art space before, what role does art play in your life now, and how has it influenced you personally?
For me, art is all about different perspectives. Every artist, especially an authentic one, presents a unique worldview. The way you look at the world, the way you process things, and how you approach different situations, all of that is important. Sometimes, we can be narrow-minded, or lack empathy, or fail to see things holistically. Art helps you process the world in new ways.

It's more than just something beautiful or decorative. For me, art is thought-provoking. It makes me question the world around me. It makes me question myself. It challenges me to think differently. Those are the aspects of art that really interest me now.

Tell me about the opening exhibition, Fresh Produce—you're bringing 50 new artists!
In 2022, the India Art Fair started a new layer to the Young Collector’s Program called "Patron of the Year," where young individuals supported a young gallery. Neel Sekhri and Anant Ahuja, who form the DJ duo MadStarBase, were the patrons of the year. They selected Method to present in Delhi alongside the India Art Fair.

That exhibition happened at Stir in Chattarpur, and through Fresh Produce, we built strong relationships in Delhi, which have lasted since then. When we decided to open Method in Delhi, Fresh Produce became the perfect exhibition to kickstart it. It’s not just a Method show—it’s a way to reconnect with the community that supported us back then.

We brought back MadStarBase, Boxout FM, and Anica Mann, who was curating the Young Collector’s Program at the time. We wanted everyone to be involved in the same way again. Fresh Produce in 2022 showcased artists who had worked with us in the past, but also fresh, new artists we were planning to work with in the future. We kept the same ethos for the 2023 exhibition. We did an open call where anyone could apply from around the world, and we received over 750 applications. We're now exhibiting 52 artists from across the globe, including artists from France and Japan.

What steps do you follow to make the gallery more accessible?
The way we approach spaces is simple: we make them comfortable for ourselves, and by extension, they become comfortable for everyone else. We don’t design Method as a traditional, "perfect" white cube gallery. We think of it as an extension of who we are—casual, welcoming, relaxed.

Even with Method Delhi, the goal was to create a space where I would be comfortable spending time. And when the gallery staff is dressed casually—jeans and T-shirts—people immediately feel like they can relax and have an easy conversation. It’s not about overthinking accessibility; we just wanted to make it a space that was true to who we are, and that naturally makes it more approachable.

Since you opened Method, how have you seen the art scene evolve?
In Bombay, there’s definitely been a cultural shift. Art Night Thursday has become very popular, and Mumbai Gallery Weekend saw huge turnout this year. People are actively engaging with galleries now, and I think that shift is important. There are also more galleries opening, which is fantastic because more spaces mean more opportunities for artists to showcase their work.

What advice would you give to someone looking to break into the art scene?
Honestly, I don’t think I’m the best person to give advice on this. I haven’t been a gallerist long enough. But what I can say is that we didn’t overthink it. We didn’t look at our background or connections or how the existing art world was set up. We just followed our passion.

It’s not always a wise business decision, but for us, it worked. My advice would be to stay authentic to yourself and create space for authentic voices, whatever that means to you. That’s what matters most.