Glorious Balance, Ameet Gill
Celebrate Vaisakhi with a Stunning Sikh Art Collaboration!
This Vaisakhi, SALDEF is delighted to unveil a unique art collaboration featuring renowned Community Artist, Ameet Gill. In an exclusive interview, we delve into the inspiration and story behind this must-see Vaisakhi art piece.
Ameet’s art commemorates 13 years of the SikhLEAD Internship Program during Vaisakhi. Ameet is a Canadian artist with Indian origins; “my paintings are symbolic and are deeper life reflections using imagery from daily life.” She has received many awards and distinctions, and her paintings have a rich earthen sensibility.
Q. What inspiration did you draw from for these pieces in particular?
A: Vaisakhi commemorates the beginning of spring harvest and uniformed baptized army of Khalsa created by Guru Gobind Singh. The title of Khalsa refers to people whose life and spirit are solely the property of the One Creator and their embodiment of equality on the path to protect, fight and serve all mankind.
Q. Were there any connections you wanted to convey between Vaisakhi/Sikhi and SikhLEAD when you were creating these pieces?
A: Birds are a Symbol of flight and its balance just like the accomplishments of the Alumni, who are making a mark by following the core values and being the agents of change. The golden harvest of rejuvenation and empowerment embraces the path that SikhLEAD and SALDEF is paving for the young Sikh Americans.
Q. Which mediums did you use, and why?
A: My materials of choice and style were intentional and deliberate. Representing rootedness, tradition and brilliance through miniature style, wood, gold, bright acrylic and oil colors. The continuation of traditional techniques in a contemporary manner amplified the embracing of core values to pave a brighter newer future.
Q. Are there any particular feelings or emotions you wanted to evoke from people when they saw the art?
A: I hope when people see these pieces they can feast their eyes, pause and contemplate through colors, geometric dance and its balance, a circle representing “One light,” golden glow with harvest and its specks highlighting the flight and embodiment of such a bright harvest.
Q. What about SALDEF as an organization in particular interested you in taking on this project and collaborating with us to celebrate 13 years of SikhLEAD?
A. SALDEF offers a platform for young Sikh Americans to not only rise to the forefront of change but also lead it to fruition. I am honored to be a part of this endeavor and to have been inspired into creating this mini series of my new works.
You can find more work from Ameet at www.gillameet.com, or on Instagram @ameetart