Vennba Studio is an exciting new experiential art space from interior design firm Pencil and Monk, founded by interior designer, filmmaker, and entrepreneur Siddharth Chandrasekhar. Drawing on the firm’s experience of providing décor and art curation services for a select clientele, Vennba Studio was launched on Madras Day, and its first exhibition, “Madras Nalla Madras” was on August 24th, 2020. The “Madras Nalla Madras” exhibition featured limited edition digital prints by artists Sunil Raghavendher and Varshini Ramakrishnan, who celebrate the city through a celebration of its motifs, colours, architecture, and people.
The exhibition was held at Vennba Studio’s new gallery space on G.N. Chetty Road, T. Nagar. The gallery was opened responsibly during the exhibition, with safety measures in place. Visits were by appointment only and were restricted to small groups of not more than 5 people at a time. For all its offerings, including bespoke commissions, Vennba Studio operates on a tech-forward interface, which offers digital previews of commissions, collectibles, and installations, as well as 3D renderings and online curations of gallery events.
The exhibition presented the work of Varshini Ramakrishnan and Sunil Raghavendher, Chennai-based artists who have made their mark. Varshini Ramakrishnan has a Masters in Luxury Accessory Design and Brand Management from Istituto Marangoni, Milan, and designed a bags and footwear collection for Moreschi which was featured in Vogue Italia and showcased during Milan Fashion Week. An Architecture graduate from NIT Trichy, Sunil Raghavender is known for his ‘Windows of Madras’ Instagram digital art series, which explores the city’s history and myriad communities through design elements used in both ordinary and heritage buildings.
The “Madras Nalla Madras” exhibition also introduced patrons and artists to the offerings of Vennba Studio, which aimed to be a conduit between buyers and creators. The studio draws its name from a classical form of Tamil poetry with well-defined metric rules, a paradigm of how to bring space and aesthetics together in a harmonious way, just as Vennba Studio does.
