Art
Art Exhibit by Daniel Connell: Sikh-Aussie Portraits of Strength & Diversity
NEWS REPORT
Moved by the incidents of violence against Indian students in Australia, Daniel Connell decided to paint them on his canvas.
"It is awful that Indians are not getting their due in Australia and that they are not being treated well. In my opinion, they are enriching our society and contributing to its growth. It is important to clear the misconception that Sikhs, with their turbans and beards, are anti-social," says the 40-year-old teacher from Australia, who is now travelling to Chandigarh and Ludhiana in Punjab with his artwork.
His protagonists are Sikhs, whose portraits have been sketched in charcoal on paper. Reflecting a sense of immediacy, the life-size mixed media work, with masking tape, projects the vulnerability of these youths, the challenges faced and the obstacles that they need to overcome.
It was a chance meeting with taxi driver Lakhvir Singh, a student from India, that deepened Connell's interest in visually expressing the expanding community in Australian society, which Connell, 40, says, is of tremendous value.
Says he, "I met several Punjabi Sikh students, working part-time as taxi drivers, and was impressed by their strength of character, respect for culture, and the dignity and faith with which they keep their religious diversity alive. The factors led to the project."
A regular visitor to India, Connell is also bowled over by Punjabi hospitality and graciousness. Back in his hometown, Adelaide, his artwork is being appreciated and the drawings are being perceived as a celebration of local history and cross-culture friendship. The project has won a prize from the University of South Australia and a short film on it is being made by the Australia Network Television Arts Program. It will be screened next year in 44 countries across Asia.
"This is my way of giving back to a country which will win all goals in the Human Olympics and has given me so much personally ... adds Connell.
The exhibition is on at Punjab Kala Bhavan, Sector 16, Chandigarh, Punjab, till January 17, 2011
[Courtesy: Indian Express]
January 14, 2011
Conversation about this article
1: Kanwarjeet Singh (Franklin Park, New Jersey, U.S.A.), January 14, 2011, 10:46 PM.
These potraits are simply awesome - charcoal actually brings out the expressions better than oil paint or water colors. Great job, Daniel - let me thank you on behalf of every Sikh in this world. Keep up the great work and God bless you always.
2: Jas Kaur (Blr, Germany), January 18, 2011, 3:30 AM.
Awesome ...!
3: Baljit Kaur Sidhu (Brampton, Ontario, Canada), January 26, 2011, 1:39 PM.
Beautiful work with an even more beautiful meaning behind it. Artists were actually encouraged to flourish and use their abilities, by Guru Gobind Singh. In my mind, true artists exude true genius!
4: Daniel (Adeliade, Australia), January 29, 2011, 1:08 PM.
Thanks for all the positive comments. I want to add that the use of many sheets of paper and masking tape was deliberately about drawing attention subtly to the way these young fellows, like so many immigrants, hold themselves together and are both bold and vulnerable.
5: Rupinder Kaur (Australia), March 25, 2011, 6:16 AM.
I am very thankful to the artist. You have helped dispel the false image of "terrorist" associated with the turban. You are our (Sikh) family now. I really don't have words to thank you enough.
6: Manvir Singh Boparai (Australia), March 25, 2011, 6:45 AM.
A fabulous painter! The Sikh community is a small one and we appreciate the fact that you spent your precious time getting to know us and giving us the honour. You are always welcome to my state (Punjab). If there's ever anything we can do for you, it'll be our good fortune.
7: Taran (Macchiwara, Punjab), June 17, 2011, 6:31 AM.
Great work, Daniel ... awesome paintings.
8: Qualleecharan (Adelaide, Australia), September 19, 2011, 3:15 AM.
Daniel Connell is doing a great job to bridge the cultural gap not only for Sikh students, but also between the 'Australian born Australians' and 'Sikh-Australians'. Unfortunately in this 21st century, there are still a lot of people on this planet (and some of them are educated with degrees such as MBA, BE, etc., working for some of the iconic Australian companies) who pay close attention to skin colour. People like Daniel are an eye opener for such people. Cheers for that, mate!
9: Gurpreet Singh Badwal (Sydney, Australia), November 14, 2012, 6:56 AM.
Keep up the great work! When do we get to see you again in Sydney, Dan?
10: Guddu Singh (Australia), March 27, 2013, 12:14 PM.
Great job, Daniel - let me thank you on behalf of every Sikh in this world. Keep up the great work and God bless you always.