In the profession of design, I meet a lot of eccentric, off-beat folks who dabble with all sorts of mediums.
It’s rare that I come across an artist thriving within the commercial market space who is solely sought out for his creative autonomy.
Installation at Dunkin’ Donuts in Velachery by Karthik SS
Karthik SS — or SS as he is fondly known — heads a collective called ‘One Not Eight’.
The 33-year-old is a designer by profession who quit his advertising job out of fear of living the life of a day walker.
Like most artists, he is a nocturnal soul; he finds the best time to think and create is in those wee hours when the city is dreaming.
Illustration by Karthik SS titled ‘Face It’
“The silence of the night, the plunge into yourself, allowing your mind to wander into the vast consciousness, grow information at its pace and connect the shapes to create something new,” says SS, as he reveals a journal full of beautiful pen-on-paper illustrations.
His expressionist style has a variety of moods and is a daily journey into healing his restless mind.
The more we talk, I see the passionate soul of an artist with the foresight of a creative director.
Karthik SS
A big reason why architects seek him out is that his approach to art and design stems from brand identity. He applies art to tell these stories.
SS is keen on design for spaces and one can find his art and installations in many watering holes in the city.
Boats, Cycle Gap, Radio Room and The Hub are among a few. Art and design is usually a collective of many elements and he spends time on building unique collaborations to create his larger picture.
Driven by self expression, his kinetic installation of a ball in perpetual motion reflects his own inner energy and need for movement.
