GR Gallery in New York will present Made To Appear, a two-person exhibition featuring Indian artist Viraj Khanna and Los Angeles-based artist Brian Robertson. Running from June 19 to August 1, 2026, the exhibition brings together new bodies of work that combine textile traditions, mixed media and contemporary imagery to explore identity, authenticity and the visual culture of the social media era.
Exhibition Focuses on Appearance and Construction
According to the gallery, Made To Appear investigates the tension between what is visible and what is physically present. The exhibition title reflects how images, identities and experiences are often carefully constructed to create a specific impression. The embroidered and textile-based works initially resemble paintings or digital images before revealing their material complexity upon closer viewing.
New Works Created for the Exhibition
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The exhibition presents new series developed specifically for the project and marks the first collaboration between both artists and GR Gallery. Through different approaches to textile and mixed-media practice, Khanna and Robertson explore themes of human connection, self-representation and the increasingly performative nature of contemporary life.
Viraj Khanna’s Examination of Social Media Culture
Indian artist Viraj Khanna is known for combining embroidery with contemporary visual culture. His practice often explores documentation, aspiration and performativity in social media. Khanna was the first artist to be included in both the Forbes India and Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 lists, and his work has been exhibited internationally.
In Made To Appear, Khanna uses intricate embroidery developed alongside artisans from West Bengal to examine class, consumption, online validation and the presentation of idealised lifestyles. His colourful compositions move between humour and critique while questioning contemporary notions of success and desirability.
Brian Robertson’s Exploration of Memory and Everyday Life
Brian Robertson approaches memory and identity through layered materials, fabric impressions, yarn and acrylic paint. Drawing from personal photographs and domestic environments, Robertson reconstructs familiar spaces into dreamlike scenes that blur the boundaries between recollection and reality. His works investigate how experiences are continually reshaped through memory, perception and storytelling.
Highlights of the Exhibition
- Newly commissioned works by Viraj Khanna and Brian Robertson
- Textile-based and mixed-media artworks
- Themes of identity, authenticity and self-presentation
- Exploration of social media culture and personal memory
- First collaboration between both artists and GR Gallery
About GR Gallery
GR Gallery was established in 2016 and relocated to Chambers Street in Tribeca in 2025. The gallery presents international contemporary artists working across multiple media and maintains a programme of exhibitions, public events and art fair participation. The gallery traces its origins to Studio d’Arte GR, founded in Venice in 1979.
Visitor Information
| Event | Details |
| Title | Made To Appear |
| Artists | Viraj Khanna and Brian Robertson |
| Venue | GR Gallery, 116 Chambers Street |
| City | New York, USA |
| Opening Reception | June 18, 2026 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm |
| Exhibition Dates | June 19 – August 1, 2026 |
| Organiser | GR Gallery |
| Entry / Tickets | Free admission (gallery entry) |
| Website | https://www.gr-gallery.com |
Takeaway
By bringing together two artists who use textile-based processes in distinct ways, Made To Appear offers a reflection on how identity, memory and experience are shaped in contemporary society. The exhibition encourages viewers to look beyond surface appearances and consider the relationship between material reality and constructed narratives. Through embroidery, texture and layered imagery, the project contributes to ongoing conversations around authenticity, representation and cultural perception in the digital age.
