V&A Cochin Ceiling Commission: Artists Ananth Ramaswamy and Devi Seetharam Share First In-Person Encounter
Ananth Ramaswamy and Devi Seetharam shared a guest blog detailing their first face-to-face experience with the Cochin Ceiling at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, where they are engaged in a contemporary project. Their prior research, conducted online, initially focused on the lotus found in Kerala's arts and architecture before broadening to encompass the V&A's collection. During their visit, they observed the remarkable 19th-century coffered ceiling (Museum no. IS.2564-1883), appreciating its size, detail, and vibrant colors. They also compared modern wood samples to the ceiling’s material, exploring the most appropriate sympathetic response. Their exploration included over a hundred items from the V&A's galleries and storage. The commission will feature in the V&A's South Asia Gallery, set to open in 2028, with support from various donors.
Key facts
- Artists Ananth Ramaswamy and Devi Seetharam are working on a contemporary commission for the V&A's Cochin Ceiling
- Devi Seetharam's arrival in London allowed the pair to work together in person for the first time
- The historic Cochin Ceiling is a coffered temple ceiling of carved polychromed teak from Cochin, Kerala, dated to the 19th century, Museum no. IS.2564-1883
- The artists examined more than a hundred objects across the V&A's galleries, archives and stores
- They tested samples of woods commonly used for carving in India today, plus oils and stains, against the historic teak ceiling
- Seeing the ceiling's polychromy in person made them question whether matching the timber was the most sympathetic response
- The contemporary commission will be part of the transformation of the V&A's South Asia Gallery, opening in 2028
- The South Asia Gallery refurbishment is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Dunard Fund, Mandakini Puri and other donors
Entities
Artists
- Ananth Ramaswamy
- Devi Seetharam
Institutions
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- V&A
- The National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Dunard Fund
- Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
- V&A South Asia Gallery
- LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore
- Architectural Association in London
- Arall
- House & Garden
- Architectural Digest
- Homes & Gardens
- National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Kochi-Muziris Biennale
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Cochin
- Kerala
- India
- Cochin (Kochi)
- Bangalore
- Singapore
- South India
Sources
- V&A Museum —
- V&A Museum —