Art Exhibition by Art Sikh ‘550 Years of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’
A new and free exhibition delivered and curated by West Midlands based organisation; Art Sikh opens on Friday 29th November at the Library of Birmingham Cafe, Centenary Square. The exhibition is in Commemoration of the 550th Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and will feature emerging and established artists’ from both the UK and worldwide and will be on display until Thursday 30th January, 2020. In the exhibition ‘550 Years of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’, Art Sikh have complied a variety of contemporary and traditional artworks depicting portraits of the founder of the Sikh religion to stir the senses, evoke, inspire and resonate with visitors in support of the celebrations that have been ongoing to mark this auspicious occasion. The artists featured have drawn from the humanitarian teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and been inspired by the Sikh concept of oneness to artistically create their contemplation’s envisioning the founder of Sikhism. We hoped to create an ambiance within the exhibition to evoke a variety of feelings for a range of visitor experiences. The bold uniform white space aided by the flow of artworks for visitors to view with ample space to step back and take in the visual ingenuity of each piece. There is a clear diversity through the range of artworks, depicting Guru Nanak Dev Ji to transfer the various ideas, impressions and emotions artists have been inspired by.
This year on the 12th November 2019 was a significant milestone for the Sikh community to mark five and a half centuries since the birth of the founder of the Sikh faith. In commemoration of this Art Sikh bring to the Library of Birmingham a touring exhibition featuring artworks exploring the teachings on humanity as one from the first Sikh Guru incorporation with the British Values, bringing together people from various faith communities and those of no faith in the memory of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. We have more in common that unites us as human beings than the differences that divide us. – Art Sikh.
Artist Name: Artistic Seva
Title of artwork: Coming Home
Material used: Watercolours & Gouache on Watercolour paper
Year of production: 2016
Artist Website/ Contact Details: amritbhamra@hotmail.com Instagram: @artisticseva
About the Artist:
Amrit Kaur, age 64 years.For as long as I can remember I have always been interested in the creative arts. My very first experience of education in the early sixties in England was me being hidden at the back of the class with coloured crayons and drawing paper because I couldn’t read or write in English. I was never comfortable with speaking as I had a stutter, but art was an outlet for me, and has remained my constant companion and comfort. I was formally educated in Rajasthan, India 25 years ago where I was trained in the ancient art of Indian Miniature Paintings on silk and marble.
About the Artwork:
I chose to create this piece in honour of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. I wanted to bring forth awareness for our younger generations to rebuild a closer connection with our Guru. Guru Nanak Dev Ji is usually depicted as an aged man, with a white beard, which gives us the impression that he was an old man when he started preaching. In fact, he was a young man in his late 20’s when he started his travels. I have presented Bibi Nanaki Ji sitting and singing alongside Guru Ji to visually show that she was his equal. Prior to this, women were not permitted to sing Holy Scripture, or be educated in the reciting of Kirtan. Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s primary teaching was to denounce the caste system and promote equality regardless of caste or gender.
Title of artwork: Sarbat Da Baba Nanak (Everyone’s Baba NanaK)
Medium: DigitalPainting
Year of production: 2017
Artist Website/ Contact Details: bhinderc@yahoo.com Instagram: @bhinderchopra.artist
About the Artist:
I am 39yrs old and am from the west midlands, I Did my GCSE and A-level Art at St Thomas More Secondary School in Bilston. I’ve been into art since I can remember. Since my birth, my parents would take me and my brother to the Gurdwara on Sundays and I would look at the paintings hanging on the walls depicting the Gurus. These influenced me a great deal, I can remember thinking to myself all those years ago that I will create artwork too. My wife, Kamlesh was probably one of the first to tell me to show my work off to the world and always gave me encouragement.
About the Artwork:
Religious subject has always been my inspiration. I’ve done artwork relating to Sikhism, Hinduism and Christianity. The teachings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji and Guru Nanak Dev Ji has been a pillar, the motivation and Inspiration to my artwork. I used to paint in oil but now have started to do digital paintings, in my earlier works I was heavily inspired by Sobha Singh’s work and style, but as I got older I managed to get my own style and I started to create work from my own Imagination.
Artist Name: G Singh B
Title of artwork: Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Enlightenment
Medium: Coloured Pencils
Year of production: 2014
Artist Website/ Contact Details: www.gurekbal.com Instagram: @g_singh_b
About the Artist:
Self-taught artist, based in London UK.
About the Artwork:
A creative envision of the moment of enlightenment experienced by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Title of artwork: Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji Maharaj
Medium: Digital
Year of production: 2018
Artist Website/ Contact Details: sukhpreets16@gmail.com Instagram: @sukhjeerh
About the Artist:
UK based artist, photographer and model.
About the Artwork:
May Guru Nanak Dev Ji inspire you to achieve all your goals, bless you with peace and bestow you with eternal joy and happiness. Happy Gurpurab!
Artist Name: RinRio
Title of artwork: Travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Medium: Watercolours & Pencils
Year of production: 2019
Artist Website/ Contact Details: rinnyrio.wordpress.com Instagram: @rinnyrio
About the Artist:
I’m an artist, based in Russia (31 years old).Graduated from the Russian-British Institute of Management in the specialty of costume design. But for many years already I work as a graphic designer. Among my directions of work there is also a motion design and 3D design. In addition to direct work and drawing, I am fond of photography, sculpture, the creation of collections of clothes and so on. I have been a participant of various exhibitions in Russia and UK.
About the Artwork:
Life and travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji inspired me to draw this art.
Title of artwork: A page from the graphic novel ‘1400’
Medium: Pen and Ink
Year of production: 2016
Artist Website/ Contact Details: www.jaglallart.com Instagram: @jaglallart
About the Artist:
London based Jag Lall is a free-spirited artist storytelling with comic books and paintings. He wrote and illustrated the anti-racism graphic novel ‘Death’s Door: Ignorance Likes Company’ which was supported by the United Nations Association of Canada. His second graphic novel ‘1400’, tells the story of how a young Sikh girl empowers herself to speak out after suffering the horrific ordeal of rape and abuse. Both ‘Death’s Door’ and ‘1400’ have been used in schools.
About the Artwork:
The inspiration was to create a narrative that displayed how Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s words, wisdom and enlightenment can be used to help the youth of today through their struggles.
Title of artwork: Guru Nanak Dev Ji and their Teachings
Medium: Digital
Year of production: 2017
Artist Website/ Contact Details: jind.mann92@gmail.com
About the Artist:
India based artist.
About the Artwork:
The roots shows the good work that Guru Ji did in their lifetime , the roots grow and become a tree that gives us shade symbolising their blessings , the black circle indicates universe , because Guru Ji is all knowing of creation itself. I have depicted the three pillars of Sikhism; Nam japna: Keeping God in mind at all times, Kirt Karna: Earning an honest living and Vand Chhakna: Giving to charity and caring for others.
Title of artwork: A Celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Medium: Digital Painting
Year of production: 2019
Artist Website/ Contact Details: sehmikirpa@gmail.com Instagram: @kirpa.kaur.sehmi
About the Artist:
My name is Kirpa, I am 27 years old and a Graphic designer and illustrator by profession.
Growing up in Nairobi, Kenya, I have always been surrounded by an artistic family and had a keen eye for colour, art and design. The choice to turn my passion into a career has allowed me to express myself through a beautiful language – art.
About the Artwork:
The piece I have created for Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th Gurpurab is quite different to normal. I chose to depict his message as a ‘celebration’ using bright colours. The parrots symbolise the oneness of life, and the beauty of it. My goal this Gurpurab was to create a dramatic and colourful piece that would create emotions of love, kindness and gratitude into whoever it reached.
Title of artwork: Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Medium: Watercolour and Coloured Pencils on Khader Paper
Year of production: Nov 2019
Artist Website/ Contact Details: Info@kidkharku.com Instagram: @kid_kharku
About the Artist:
UK based self-taught artist.
About the Artwork:
This painting is an interpretation of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj. It is to show the simplicity of Guru Sahib externally, no lavish clothes just plain and simple. The important factor has always been what the Guru spoke and what he did that we should focus on and not on the external image. The Guru showed that even the simplest of beings could attain spirituality and ability to elevate their soul. The focus therefore should always be the Shabad Guru. WJKK WJKF.
Artist Name: Mesmeraki
Title of artwork: Guru Nanak Dev Ji 550
Medium: Digital
Year of production: 2019
Artist Website/ Contact Details: info@mesmeraki.com Instagram: @mesmeraki
About the Artist:
Mesmeraki also known as Sanjeet Singh is a twenty two year old, Birmingham based artist. The self-devised word Mesmeraki reflects his own identity as well as his art, as the ‘Mes’ is derived from Mesmerizing, a sensation he believes only art can invoke which he threaded with the Greek word ‘Meraki’; to put your soul, love and utmost devotion into your work.
About the Artwork:
‘Guru Nanak Dev Ji 550’ was made with Guru Sahib Ji’s special Gurpurab in mind. Inspired by the Nanaksari Saroop that hangs in my stairway, I wanted do a rendition which captures the ‘Noor’ of Guru Sahib Ji. Taking three months to complete, this piece was one of the biggest challenges which produced one of the biggest rewards.
Artist Name: gsnagiart
Title of artwork: Ik Onkar
Medium: Digital
Year of production: 2018
Artist Website/ Contact Details: gsgs.nagi@gmail.com Instagram: @gsnagiart
About the Artist:
My name is Gurjinder Singh Nagi. My age is 31 year. I am from Fatehabad, Haryana (India) from Sikh family. I haven’t any art degree or diploma because my art is God gifted. Art was my passion from childhood so I did practice sketch, I did learn from myself, from YouTube, from other artists’ artwork and I am learning art still now
About the Artwork:
I am a Sikh artist so our Sikh history is full of from inspiration stories. In this my artwork I showed that Guru Nanak Dev Ji gave us Ik Onkar message that God is one, all humans are equal.
Artist Name: PENTACULARARTIST
Title of artwork: THE UDASI’S OF GURU NANAK DEV JI
Medium: Graphite and Charcoal Pencils
Year of production: 2019
Artist Website/ Contact Details: http://pentacularartist.wix.com/pentacularartist / Pentacularartist@yahoo.co.uk Instagram: @pentacularartist
About the Artist:
Raj Singh Tattal, also known as the ‘Pen-Tacular-Artist’ is a freelance artist from East London. He captures vivid detail in his pieces through the use of graphite and charcoal pencils creating realistic black and white pencil artwork.
About the Artwork:
Guru Nanak was moved by the plight of the people of world and wanted to tell them about the “real message of God”. The peoples of the world were confused by the conflicting message given by priests, pundits, qazis, mullahs, etc. He was determined to bring his message to the masses; so in 1500, he decided to set out on his sacred mission to spread the holy message of peace and compassion to all of mankind. It is believed that Guru Nanak is the second most travelled person in the world; most of his journeys were made on foot with his companion Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala. He travelled in all four directions – North, East, West and South. The founder Sikh Guru is believed to have travelled more than 28,000 Kilometers in five major tours of the world during the period from 1500 to 1521. The first Udasi (1500-1505) was to the central and eastern parts of India. Second Udasi (1506-1509) took him to important towns and religious centres of south India, including Sri Lanka. The third Udasi (1514-1516) Guru Nanak travelled to the Gangetic plains, Bihar, Nepal, Lahsa, Leh, as far as Tashkand and then back to Punjab via the Kashmir valley. The fourth Udasi (1518-1521) took him to various Arab countries including Mecca. His final travel in the ‘CENTRE’ was his travels back to his home the ‘Punjab’ to Karturpur where he passed away in 1539.
Artist Name: Prabolous
Title of artwork: Untitled
Medium: Digital
Year of production: 2019
Artist Website/ Contact Details: Prabjyotsm@gmail.com Instagram: @prabolous
About the Artist:
I am a 34 years old Architectural Assistant based in West London. In my free time I tend to use art as a form of a creative outlet. I work in mainly charcoal and acrylic; however I have the tendency to experiment with other mediums.
About the Artwork:
What inspired me in creating an artwork of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the fact that previously I had never done an artwork of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, I felt this was a befitting time to produce one with all the ideas I had building up towards the Gurus 550th Gurpurab. Through the use of the washed out colours and water effect brush strokes I wanted the artwork to convey a sense of peace and calmness which i feel the Guru brought to the world.
Artist Name: RGX Singh
Title of artwork: Ek Baba Akaal Roop
Medium: Digital Painting
Year of production: 2013
Artist Website/ Contact Details: rgxsingh@gmail.com Instagram: @rgxsingh
About the Artist:
Punjab, Indian born artist, currently living in East London. My main medium that I use to create artworks is digital formats.
About the Artwork:
Portrait of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Artist Name: RSDIVERSEART
Title of artwork: GURU NANAK AND THE GOLDEN TEMPLE
Medium: Pencils, Pens and Airbrush
Year of production: 2017
Artist Website/ Contact Details: WWW.RSDIVERSEART.COM / rsdiverseart@gmail.com Instagram: @rsdiverseart
About the Artist:
I am a self-taught, London based artist with a keen interest in producing pencil portraits. Now aged 26, I have been perfecting my techniques for the past 3 years. I strive to achieve high levels of hyper realism in my portrait work, whilst showing my love for nature and outer space in a lot of my backgrounds. In order to create my exciting backgrounds, which are designed to complement my portrait subject, I use a variety of mediums including airbrushes, spray paints, colour pencils etc. To add exclusivity to some of my originals, I like to add UV paints to elements of the art piece, which will make the come to life in the dark under a UV lamp!
About the Artwork:
Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and one of his teachings were equality. The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is one of the most famous Gurdwara in the world, where countless pilgrims and tourists visit to pray/take in its breath-taking beauty. A Gurdwara is a place of worship that welcomes all people irrespective of race, religion, colour etc. representing Guru Nanak’s vision of equality under one roof. The inspiration of my ‘Guru Nanak and the Golden Temple’ stems from this very idea, with the Golden Temple being one of the most famous Gurdwara so widely known to many as a place of worship where everyone is welcome, fed and looked after. I have drawn Guru Nanak with his eyes closed, peacefully watching his vision of equality being practiced under the roof of Harmandir Sahib. I have made the sky blue to further enhance the divine nature of Guru Nanak in the art piece and to represent the Golden Temple as a place where there is a light and love everywhere. The colours have also been carefully selected create a sense of tranquillity and happiness when first gazing your eyes at this art piece.
Artist Name: skv.theartgirl
Title of artwork: Naam Japo
Medium: Watercolours
Year of production: 2017
Artist Website/ Contact Details: suminderkaur15.sk@gmail.com Instagram: @skv.theartgirl
About the Artist:
I am an 18 year old girl from Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. I have been learning art from the age of 4. Due to my keen interest in art and design, I have won several national as well as international level awards.
About the Artwork:
Whenever I go to gurdwara, I always pray for my family’s wellbeing. So this is what inspired me to create this painting of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji joining hands and praying and also sending us the message of Naam Japo.
Artist Name: SUM CREATIVE ART
Title of artwork: Satguru Nanak Pargateya
Medium: Acrylic Painting & Digital Art
Year of production: 2019
Artist Website/ Contact Details: sumanjohal@hotmail.com Instagram: @sum_creative_art
About the Artist:
I am a British Asian freelance artist and art & design educator with over 15 years’ experience in the profession. I explore creative narratives of existence through my art, working in mixed media and drawing upon inspirations from all walks of life. Sikh theology has played a prominent part in my life and enthuses much of my creativity.
About the Artwork:
This piece was inspired by the birth story of the founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born on the Full Moon (Pooranmashi) of the Indian Lunar Month Katik. Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji came as a beacon of light into this world to show us all the light within humanity as one, paralleled to a full moon on a dark night. The patterns created as a boarder are in commemoration to the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab.
Artist Name: GURUZART
Title of artwork: Light of Nanak
Medium: Digital
Year of production: Sep 2017
Artist Website/ Contact Details: guruzart8@gmail.com Instagram: @guruzart
About the Artist:
My artwork is my way of connecting with the PARBRAHM and also to express Sikhism in its simplest form. I am based in Delhi, India and have over 6 years’ experience in creating Sikh art. I have created over 400 Paintings so far covering various aspects of Sikhism. Values preached in Sikhism are easy to connect with and they keep our thoughts focused while helping us to evolve as a better person in all fields of life. I have created over 25 painting on Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj in addition to several painting on all our Guru Sahibans & their lives.
About the Artwork:
A depiction of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The Rose Flower represents Muslims, while the Marigold Flower represents Hindus. The Guru is the Light of One Falling on Both.
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