Presented by Rajiv Menon Contemporary, Los Angeles, California
June 2025, Los Angeles– Rajiv Menon Contemporary is pleased to present Why Did I Say Yes?, a solo exhibition by renowned Indian artist Viraj Khanna. The exhibition will be on view from June 28 to August 30, 2025, at its Los Angeles, California space.
For young artist Viraj Khanna, the Indian wedding is the perfect ground to explore the themes he finds most interesting: excess, consumerism, and the public versions of ourselves we post in an Instagram-friendly era. Through his renowned use of traditional textile embroidery techniques- particularly aari and zardozi methods- Viraj presents a loving, gentle, satirical look at the madness and delirium that surround the big Indian wedding. Drawing on his own family legacy in the fashion industry and working collaboratively with traditional artisans, Viraj transforms methods of luxury apparel making into a powerful mode of artistic expression. Taking a unit of export and fashion–embroidery–Viraj locates an effective mode of storytelling. Recreating scenes of his own life on the wedding circuit and presenting them in vibrant embroidery, Viraj uses traditional bead and threadwork to present a language for the loss of self in a world of mega-consumption. Viraj emerges not only as a top chronicler of Indian consumer culture but also takes on a global fascination with Indian weddings and brings it into an elevated space of fine arts.
Taking a unit of export and fashion–embroidery–Viraj locates an effective mode of storytelling. Recreating scenes of his own life on the wedding circuit and presenting them in vibrant embroidery, Viraj uses traditional bead and threadwork to present a language for the loss of self in a world of mega-consumption. Viraj emerges not only as a top chronicler of Indian consumer culture but also takes on a global fascination with Indian weddings and brings it into an elevated space of fine arts. In Why Did I Say Yes?, Viraj reconstructs personal and social wedding narratives, mapping them onto larger concerns of identity and erasure in an age of mega-consumption. Through
exquisite textile craftsmanship, he builds a new visual vocabulary that both honors and critiques this globalized, performative ritual. What emerges is a deeply personal, globally resonant take on how we love, celebrate, and present ourselves today. Viraj Khanna is a two-time Forbes 30 Under 30 (the first artist to make both the India and Asia lists) and has emerged as India’s most celebrated young artist. In prominent collections, including the Susan and Michael Hort Collection, the Bunker Art Space, and the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, Viraj testifies to the changing face of Indian society and the new forms of desire,aspiration, and loss of self that emerge in this context.
About Viraj Khanna
Viraj Khanna is a visual artist from India who primarily works in the medium of textile. Khanna’s narrative-based works are focused on ‘stylising’ the image. The artist is intrigued by eye-catching moments, which are particularly shared on social media. We save memories that
are most exciting or meaningful to us in different ways and sometimes share them on social media. The artist reflects upon how people always share their best moments and underscore only the best parts of their lives on social media, thereby creating an image of perfection. The different materials available in embroidery help the artist achieve different moods. One can also highlight certain aspects of the image using 3D materials as and when required. For the artist, threadwork is far more subtle yet striking when compared to Zardosi work.
The material helps the artist create a dream-like imagery, which is open to interpretation. There is a marked distinction in the final work produced when compared to the original image; this resonates with the artist in regards to the concerns of ‘social appearance’. Viraj studied Business Administration at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, in 2018. Khanna’s works have been exhibited in solo shows at the LOFT, Gallery Art Exposure, Kolkata (2021); Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai (2022); India Art Fair (2023), and recently at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai (2023). He is currently pursuing his MFA at the Art Institute of Chicago.
About Rajiv Menon Contemporary
Rajiv Menon Contemporary is a Los Angeles-based gallery committed to showcasing bold, cross-cultural voices in contemporary art. With a focus on South Asian and diasporic artists, the gallery serves as a platform for experimental practices that challenge dominant narratives and
engage with global conversations around identity, materiality, and tradition. Known for its sharp curatorial vision and immersive programming, Rajiv Menon Contemporary creates space for dialogue between emerging and established artists across borders.
Title: Why Did I Say Yes?
Artist: Viraj Khanna
Exhibition Dates: June 28 – August 30, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: Rajiv Menon Contemporary, 1311 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Featuring Image Courtesy: Rajiv Menon Contemporary
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