India’s future will be shaped by its creative powerhouses coming together, across the fields of art, heritage, film and design. Artistic Director of Chanakya International and Chanakya School of Craft, Karishma Swali, Co-founder and Creative Director of Motherland magazine, V Sunil, Principle and Founder Diana Kellogg Architects, Diana Kellogg and conservation architect and India CEO for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Ratish Nanda discuss India’s growth and evolving identity as a global creative force. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Cleo Roberts-Komireddi, Consulting Editor, Arts, STIR.
Generously supported by JSW and curated by researcher and arts manager, Priya Chauhan, ART ACROSS —— celebrates the power of critical dialogue and the critical need for celebrating the arts. Spanning key issues in art, design and architecture from a variety of perspectives including from institutions, market experts, philanthropists and creatives, the series aims to foster an inclusive platform to explore contemporary culture, with South Asia at its centre. All talks will also be conducted in Indian Sign Language.
Karishma Swali: Since 1998, Karishma Swali has led Chanakya International, a global textile house preserving India’s cultural heritage. In her 27-year career, she founded Chanakya School of Craft, educating over 1000 women. Recipient of the Elle Impact Award (2023) and Grazia Award for Contemporary Craftsmanship (2022), Karishma is recognized as a BoF500 member since 2022. In June 2023, she was invited by President Joe Biden to the Washington State Dinner, honouring India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
V Sunil: V Sunil embarked on his career in India’s top advertising agencies, eventually becoming the Creative Director at Ogilvy in 2002. During his tenure, he crafted the iconic Incredible !ndia Campaign. In 2003, Sunil founded [A], which later merged with Wieden+Kennedy in 2007. As Executive Creative Director at W+K, he played a pivotal role in building beloved brands like Royal Enfield and IndiGo. In 2014, Sunil’s creative genius gave birth to the global movement Make in India for the Government of India. He co-founded the JDH Urban Regeneration Project in 2015, restoring the Walled City of Jodhpur. In 2016, Sunil established Motherland Joint Ventures, collaborating with partners like Rahul Bhatia. His impact extended to designing OYO’s Townhouse hotels in 2018 and co-founding The Common Room Foundation. In 2019, he launched Motherland Superstore, offering a fresh perspective on Indian sub-culture. Sunil’s multifaceted creativity also includes founding W+K EXP art gallery in 2009 and Motherland Magazine in 2010, alongside serving as a Founder Trustee of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale and advising arts organizations globally.
Diana Kellogg: Known for her commitment to projects with social impact, NYC-based architect Diana Kellogg has garnered global attention, most recently for the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. Originally designed to be a multi-structure campus, the school serves hundreds of girls below the poverty line, equipping them with tools for education and independence.
Ratish Nanda: Mr. Ratish Nanda, Conservation Architect, is India CEO for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. He heads the interdisciplinary AKTC teams presently undertaking the two major urban conservation projects in India: the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative, Delhi and the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park Conservation in Hyderabad. For AKTC, he was earlier responsible for the Baghe Babur restoration (2002-2006), in Kabul, Afghanistan and the garden restoration of Humayun’s Tomb (1999-2003). His major publications include, ‘Delhi, the Built Heritage: A listing’– released by the Prime Minister of India; Delhi: Red Fort to Raisina; Conservation of Historic Graveyards (Scotland) and Rethinking Conservation: Humayun’s Tomb. He studied architecture at the TVB School of Habitat Studies, Delhi where he graduated with the Gold Medal. Ratish then did a master’s programme in Conservation Studies focussed on the built heritage at the Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies, University of York, England.
Dr. Cleo Roberts-Komireddi: Cleo Roberts-Komireddi is an art historian, broadcaster, and commentator. She hosts the Art Worlds podcast and is currently writing a book on Indian Art for Yale University Press, with an Association for Art History grant. She is consulting editor for STIRworld and has written for leading publications including the Financial Times, the Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, the Spectator and Frieze. She sits on the academic advisory panel for MAP Academy.