Amrita Jhaveri, a Brown University alumna, has transitioned from a pioneering role at Christie’s to becoming a central figure in the global promotion of South Asian art. After launching Christie’s Mumbai office in the 1990s—a time when modern Indian masterpieces sold for a fraction of their current multi-million dollar values—she co-founded Jhaveri Contemporary with her sister Priya. The gallery has gained international prestige by placing works by overlooked, female, and queer South Asian artists into the permanent collections of major institutions like the Tate Modern, the Met, and MoMA.
Jhaveri’s career trajectory mirrors the explosive growth and institutional validation of the South Asian art market over the last three decades. By focusing on scholarship and long-term artist advocacy rather than mere commercial flipping, she has successfully integrated South Asian narratives into the Western art historical canon. Her success demonstrates a sustainable gallery model that balances profitability with a mission to rediscover 'written out' artists and support emerging talent on global stages like Documenta and the Venice Biennale.