ARTIST STATEMENT: 

My current artistic practice shares my lived experiences as a Punjabi-Sikh Canadian. I strip back the venire of xenophobia that labels my experiences as one of a minority. I depict the community I grew up in as a mainstream, not as an exception. My art intends to elicit a visceral reaction of discomfort from viewers, perhaps from the rawness of the image, or because its meaning hits close to home. This sensation of discomfort is one I am interested in dissecting. I contrast this with a sense of humor and lightness, to intentionally delineate the differences in life from our previous generations. Many immigrant families have come from significant trauma, or life disrupting changes. This often juxtaposes the excess of life as a westerner. I explore this disconnect and dive into the guilt that this bears.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY:

Harneet Kaur Chahal is a visual artist working primarily in the medium of acrylic and oil paints. Her art examines the intertwining threads of life’s challenges with resilience. She explores the uncomfortable but empowering truth of pain, loss, and finding a way through the tunnel, even if you had to claw your way out. Is it about the journey? Is it about where you land? Or is it some mix of both. Harneet wears many hats in her personal life but the one she is most proud of, is being a mom to her 2-year old boy.

Instagram: @artneet_