Art like music has a universal language, one does not have to translate or interpret it, it comes from a source deep within the artist and makes its voice heard.
Although art is universal, its expression is uniquely personal. Artists from diverse locations, origins, faith, traditions have made it a rich and varied form of expression. My art is an expression of my life lived in between different cultures. It reflects my sensitivity and joy as an Artist. It is highly influenced by my Sikh heritage.
I was born and raised in India, became a US citizen and moved to Mexico. Though My Art is influenced by Indian and Mexican traditions, the culture closest to my heart is the Punjabi Sikh culture.
On Guru Nanak Dev ji’s Birth Anniversary, I want to dedicate my art to celebrating all traditions just like Guru Nanak and the Gurus that followed him did. In this article I share the inspirations behind some of my work.
While I have painted HARMANDIR SAHIB (9) I have chosen not to make a painting of any of our Gurus because I feel I can never do justice to their persona through any image.
I have painted Harmandir Sahib more than once because whenever I am in Darbar Sahib, I feel enveloped by Guru’s love and chardikala, and all worries and concerns are dissipated. The four doors of the Harmandir Sahib signify that people from all religions and faiths are welcome. This message of universal brotherhood is the cornerstone of Sikh Faith. My mixed media painting of Darbar Sahib is a humble attempt to depict the entrance to our most revered place of worship.
I feel inspired by the faith and fearlessness of Mai Bhago . She was an accomplished in martial arts woman and an iconic spiritual warrior and role model. She was the first woman to fight in a battlefield in Punjab in 1705. She has a special place in Sikh history. Her story continues to inspire us. My Acrylic depiction of MAI BHAGO (7) is a tribute to this great woman saint soldier.
BABA DEEP SINGH JI”S (5) courage and determination are exemplary in Sikh history, my Acrylic abstract painting of this great Sikh scholar and saint soldier is a tribute to him. My abstract painting STANDING STRONG (26) is dedicated to such Sikh heroes.
My Acrylic painting SHAMSHEER (4) evokes the kirpan that is to be raised in self- defense and in defense of the weak and the meek who face tyranny. It is symbolic of activism. It also pays homage to the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh who saw the kirpan as representing the Creator’s power.
Punjabi culture is very energetic and exuberant. The gatherings are very colorful, I depicted one such gathering of ladies in a festive get-together( SISTERHOOD (29) . In MUTIYAAR (1) I have attempted to bring alive the Punjabi culture’s love for music and Bhangra.
The importance of horses and horse-riding in Sikhism is best underlined by the description of Guru Gobind Singh ji- the tenth Guru - as the “Neelay Ghodey Wallah”( the one with the blue horse). All our great Sikh warrior men like Baba Deep Singh ji and women like Mai Bhago ji shared a great love and trust for horses.
Horses are loyal, protective and strong, My acrylic painting of horses STRONG TOGETHER (31) depicts a family of horses forging ahead.
All the Gurus starting from our first Guru loved and respected nature,
“PAWAN GURU PANI PITTA , MATTA DHART MAHAT….”
“SA DHARTI BHIYE HARYAWALI Ji THE MERA SATGUR BAITHA AYE”
These were my inspirations for the oil painting PEACE (25) and my digital paintings TULIPS (12) and WOODS(17)
When I started painting, I wanted to learn from the best, My acrylic painting UTOPIA (32) is inspired by the great painter Cloude Monet. I loved his outstanding fluidity, impressionism and color mixing and I also wanted to imbibe those in my painting.
I have been living in Mexico and studying Art from a famous Mexican Muralist Ismael Ramos. Mexican culture’s love for family is remarkably similar to our Indian Punjabi culture’s Mexican women are extremely hard working and dedicated to their kids and families. In my mixed media painting REFLECTIVE (30), I have portrayed a woman, a mother with multiple thoughts in her mind. When I was working on that painting, it was very liberating for me, it felt like giving a voice to millions of unsung mothers for all their hard work and sacrifices.
My painting UNBASHFUL(34) was inspired by the award winning photograph of the ‘Afghan girl”. Her eyes were mesmerizing; I felt drawn to them.
In my acrylic painting, EVOLUTION (23) I depicted the painful process a caterpillar has to go through to evolve into a butterfly. Butterflies are beautiful; the whole process of a caterpillar evolving into a butterfly is a fascinating miracle of nature. MASKED (22) is inspired by people’s behavior in today’s world; the real person is often hidden behind a facade. THOUGHTS (28) was inspired by the human mind and all the different ideas in it. THE MISSING LINK (29) was inspired by a little bizarre theory about a possible connection between the trees and humans.
In my abstract acrylic painting MATADOR (35),I have depicted the fearlessness of the Matadors who reminded me of our great Sikh warriors like of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Baba Deep Singh ji and so many more.
Guru Nanak Dev ji travelled far and wide to spread his message of EK ONKAR (one GOD) equality, universal brotherhood, and love for all. Travelling to new places broadens one’s horizons My family loves to travel, sometimes what one encounters on travels stays etched in memory. On one such family trip to the south of France, we came across a port filled with hundreds of colorful sail boats, sailing away merrily, in a perfect breeze inspired me to paint my mixed media painting DREAMS (33). In my heart I often feel that my love for travel comes from my great Guru, Guru Nanak a world traveler like none other.
My journey in Art is ongoing. Through this universal language, I express my emotions, my life’s varied inspirations and colorful experiences. My art reflects the richness of my life for which I am so grateful. I hope somewhere it strikes a chord in you as you visit my virtual gallery. www.inbetweenarts.com