The world, according to artist Viraj Khanna
Truth is: It’s Viraj Khanna’s world and we all (quite literally) live in it.
Khanna can’t pinpoint the exact moment, but it was at some point during the lockdown when he first started experimenting with magazine cutouts, unknowingly stepping into his creative potential. His art, playful, and laced with sarcastic wit, is like a visual fever dream—chaotic, intricate, and impossible to look away from. He seamlessly fuses embroidery, collage, and sculpture, creating a world where tradition collides with contemporary anxieties, thereby holding up a mirror to a social-media driven society. Whether it's his embroidered figures stitched together from fragments of memory or his sculptural works that feel like relics from a future past, Khanna’s pieces pulse with a kind of surreal energy.
His latest explorations, from ‘BRAINROT’ at Mumbai’s Tao Art Gallery to his ever-evolving digital-meets-analog aesthetic, tap into the modern psyche—our fractured attention spans, our curated realities, the blurring of self and screen. Each work is a puzzle of faces, emotions, and textures, urging the viewer to look deeper and question more.
While laying the groundwork to inherit his famous designer-mother (Anamika Khanna’s) fashion empire, Viraj is making his mark in the art world. Ahead, we speak with the artist who creates art that is heritage reimagined, nostalgia distorted, and identity stitched together—quite literally, on how he sees the world.
You studied business — when did art enter your life?
Growing up, it was expected that I’d handle the business side while Vishesh (my twin brother) focused on design. So, I studied Business Administration and initially managed embroidery and finance (at Anamika Khanna and AK-OK). My focus was always on growing the business rather than design, and I think I closed myself off to anything creative because of it. But the lockdown gave me a chance to explore the world of art.
I started making collages from magazine cutouts at home and shared them on Instagram. That’s when Art Exposure, a gallery in Kolkata, reached out, and gallerist Somak Mitra invited me to do a show.
Brain Rot - we loved it! Could you tell us more about the whole process?
This show is deeply personal and organic to me. So much of my life is dictated by social media that my work naturally became about it. It explores how I navigate social media and technology—some artworks reflect how I feel when I post, while others depict stories I share. Each piece comments on my anxiety and inner thoughts in different ways. The sculptures capture everyday moments, like a figure doing a plank while watching reels, something we see all the time at the gym.
How would you describe your art and aesthetic to a novice?
Most people wonder what my work is about, especially those unfamiliar with contemporary art. Even my friends sometimes say, “What the hell is this?” I believe through art, we can express things that words or speech can’t. It reflects the past and future while commenting on the present. My work keeps evolving, so I can’t describe it permanently, but recently, it’s been about everyday life influenced by technology.
What emotions do you hope people feel when they engage with your work?
I think everyone responds differently to my work. Some people understand it and it becomes relevant to them. There are people who don’t, but they appreciate only the craftsmanship. I am honestly okay either way. My attempt is to push the embroidery medium forward both technically and visually.
What were your influences growing up?
Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by textiles, clothing, and embroidery samples. I didn’t consciously pay attention, but I guess we absorb what we see. Now, my practice draws from all of that—basically, from clothing to art.
What does a typical day in your studio look like?
I work full-time at our brands, Anamika Khanna and AK-OK, so I’m constantly fighting for time. Whenever I want to experiment, I work in my room. My room is my safe space, I paint whenever I have the energy or will.
Do you collect art yourself?
Yes, I’m an avid collector, and my taste keeps evolving. Lately, I’ve been buying more international artists—my latest acquisitions are works by James Turrell and Raghav Babbar. My approach to collecting is very personal and different, especially since I’m an artist too.
Any upcoming projects or exhibitions you’re excited about?
I just finished showing my ‘khakha’ paintings at the India Art Fair, and there might be something at Art Dubai next. I also have a solo with Rajiv Menon Contemporary in Los Angeles, California this June.
