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Artists from around the World contribute to Sikh Human Rights art exhibition in Bristol #Art4Justice

Posted on: 24 Mar 2016

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The exhibition was inspired by Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s year-long hunger strike to free Sikh political prisoners in India. Visitors to the #Art4Justice exhibition included Laura Pye, Head of Culture for Bristol City Council and George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol, who commented that it was a, “Brilliant, eye-opening exhibition.”

 

 

Singh Sabha Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) in St George Bristol hosted an art exhibition on Sunday 20th March inspired by Bapu Surat Singh, an 83-year-old Indian from the United States who has been on hunger strike in India for over 400 days calling for the release of Sikh political prisoners. He has been periodically detained by the Indian Police and force-fed during his hunger strike.

 

The event showcased artwork including charcoal and pencil drawings, paintings in oils and watercolours, embroidery and sculpture. South West artists and poets whose work was displayed included Jill Griffin, Melody Sale and Nick Ingram. Other artists include Jag Lall, Raj Tattal and Jyoti Dhanjal.

 

Parmjit Kaur (President of Singh Sabha Gurdwara) and Kevin Attwood (Artist); credit Hawk-Eye Photography

 

Curator of the exhibition Dr Manjit Kaur Dhinsa said, “This has been a grass roots campaign, and the contributions we have had from artists and poets have been humbling. We have had work from around the world, including the USA, Canada, India and Russia. The exhibition has been supported by all the Bristol Gurdwaras and we are thankful to Parmjit Kaur President of the Gurdwara for allowing us to host it here.”

 

Artist Jyoti Dhanjal from Hertfordshire said he found out about the human rights campaign after seeing images of Bapu on social media, “I wanted to help his campaign using the following I have on social media. I did a painting based on one of the photos which I thought was very powerful. The strain of his hunger strike shows on his face.” This was the first time Jyoti has exhibited in Bristol and he added, “Bristol is amazing. There has been a steady flow of people who came to see the exhibition. I will definitely be coming back to the city as there is a real interest in arts and culture and I would like to do some street art or mural work here. It’s been a great experience.”

 

George Ferguson (Mayor of Bristol) and Jyoti Dhanjal (Artist)- Jyoti’s painting of Bapu Surat Singh is in view; credit Dilawer Singh Potiwal

 

Emerging artist Melody Sale from Plymouth said, “I was asked to do a piece for the exhibition by event organiser and Plymouth councillor Chaz Singh. I didn’t know very much about the campaign so it was as much a learning process for me as well as a creative one. I have learnt so much, not just about the protest, but also about the Sikh community, that has been amazing. I really want to help and I hope that through this exhibition we can raise awareness and help the prisoners.”

 

Chaz Singh (organiser of exhibition) and Melody Sale (artist)- Melody’s pencil sketch drawing of Bapu Surat Singh is in view; credit Hawk-Eye Photography

 

For further information on the plight of Bapu Surat Singh please visit www.freesikhprisoners.com follow the Facebook page and Twitter.

 

Chaz Singh (organizer of exhibition), Hung Truong & Emily Gumbrell (PCSOs Avon and Somerset Police, Jill Griffin (Artist- with her art work in the centre), Dilawer Singh Potiwal (organiser of event); credit Hawk-Eye Photography)

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