Viraj Khanna’s second single explores human nature and zoomorphic creatures in fiberglass, paper and textile
Viraj Khanna’s second single explores human nature and zoomorphic creatures in fiberglass, paper and textile
The sad-humored man who sang artist and designer Viraj Khanna’s first single last year is gone. Now, at the Tao Art Gallery in Mumbai, in a show curated by young Sanjana Shah – who is handling the family business of art – the 26-year-old finds that a fashionable dressed elephant surrounded by flowers and butterflies can find viewers . Just like meditation.
In What my mom didn’t teach me… and some things she did!“The [zoomorphic] Sculptures and paintings show behavioral adaptations due to their exaggerated features and influences from society with many faces. There is a constant battle between our raw, natural and conditioned forms”, explains the artist, who follows the works of Kavas, Jeff Koons and Javier Calleja. “Ultimately, the artwork reflects my life and its influences.”
Viraj Khanna | photo credit: special arrangement
tapping into vulnerability
Viraj has transferred his paintings from canvas collages to paper, creating the narrative using various elements from magazines, encyclopedias and other books. “I’ve been thinking about my work a lot since my first show and it’s made me more adventurous in my approach. I reflected on the idea of ’vulnerability’ with strong imagery portrayed through the figurative elements of the artwork is,” he says. “The new introduction of textiles is also helping to visually delineate the way things look.”
Hand Embroidery on Cotton | photo credit: special arrangement
nft bandwagon
Viraj is also using the show to venture into NFTs – marking a first for Tao Art Gallery as well. “I think the NFT scene in India is at an early stage and one cannot predict where it will go. [But think] If people had invested in cryptocurrencies a few years back, they would be very wealthy today. The same could happen with NFTs, and I certainly don’t want to miss out on what’s happening right now,” he confirms. “Furthermore, with the decision of the government to define NFTs and tax digital assets, it will remove non-serious buyers.”
For his 2021 show at Loft Quest Mall Kolkata (hosted by Art Exposure), he had avoided using textiles as the gallery advised him not to venture into it. “This was done to keep a separate identity [for me] As an artist and a designer,” says Viraj, who has a fashion label with his twin brother, Vishesh. But her mother, fashion designer Anamika Khanna’s association with textiles and embroidery, has always dominated her life.
Mixed Media on Canvas | photo credit: special arrangement
However, why collage? Viraj believes that if masters like Picasso and Braque used collage to express themselves, they could too! “I think collage as a medium really helps bridge the gap between an idea and its execution. It gives you something extra to work on and constantly innovate,” he concluded.
What my mom didn’t teach me… and some things she did! Opens at Tao Art Gallery on February 25 and will run until April 3.