Simran Singh

“Not My Wedding” “Not My Wedding” is about the ways in which older and younger generations differ in their values with important rites such as marriage. The former tends to put weight in the customs and traditions that are outdated for the sake of tradition whereas the latter wants to take back these rites for themselves and their contemporary values. Sikh marriages organized by the parents usually cater to the guests needs, with concern of what they may say and gossip about afterwards, rather than the needs and wants of the actual couple getting married.

“Loss and Lost” Growing up in the West, First-Generation children tend to be very disconnected from their religion and culture because of the lack of education on their own ethnic histories. With immigrant parents who do not have the time or capacity to teach their children of the importance of the rites, many go on celebrating days like Diwali without having a real understanding of why they celebrate it.

“Supreme” “Supreme” is a piece that compares the materiality of older generations versus the immateriality of younger generations when it comes to owning religious paraphernalia and how it relates to their faith and practise.

“Dafa ho” “Dafa ho” is an embroidery work in which the Gurmukhi text translates roughly to “Go Fuck Yourself” and is used to point out the misogyny that is ingrained in the practises of religion by the older generation. I aimed to take back a once oppressive kind of work (embroidering) and renew it as an art form to express myself with. To those who do not understand the text, it is just a very pleasant piece to look at, but for those who understand, are met with a rude greeting.

“House of GOD” “House of GOD” illustrates the ways that the different generations in a single household can practise religion in the most subtle and mundane of ways, even they themselves do not look the pious part.

“Broken I-Phone” The verbal retelling of stories has been around for the ages and has always been the main means of passing on narratives, but what happens when this method of communication fails? When there is a lack of understanding through language barriers? “Broken I-Phone” illustrates the way language barriers between Immigrant parents and their First-Generation Western children can affect the way religion is passed on and practised.

“Heart of Gold” “Heart of Gold” is a self-portrait illustrating that the importance of being true to your faith does not lie with how you look like on the outside but rather the values you hold onto the inside.

Two Sides of the Same Sikh