Fine Art Print: 1984

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

We would like to introduce you to a master piece of Sikh Art. This is a painting entitled “1984” by the England born Twins sisters – Amrit & Rabindra Kaur Singh. In the Arts world, they are more commonly known as the Singh Twins.  Today the Twins are internationally acclaimed contemporary artist who have been widely televised, publicized and honored in the media. Click on this link to read their biography http://www.sikhfoundation.org/comprof0403.asp

Their painting “1984” is a master piece and a tribute by Sikh youth in Diaspora. It depicts the tragic and most horrifying storming of the Golden Temple in 1984 by the Indian Army.

Some of the key highlights of this painting in their own words are:

• The Golden Temple is shown as a bird’s eye distant view, representing that while the Sikh Diaspora is geographically far off from this holiest Sikh Shrine but is very close to their hearts.
• “The pool of nectar”, filled with blood and Sikh pilgrims running around everywhere symbolizes the suddenness and panic among the devotees who were there only to pay their homage on this most important day in the Sikh calendar (martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev ji).
• The bias of the media and the damaging effects it has had on the image of the Sikhs is symbolized by the group of blindfolded reporters who stand as 'partners in crime', shoulder to shoulder, with Indian troops (top left).
• The surrounding borders of the painting depicts fleeing crowds, enhancing the feeling of claustrophobia and “No Escape”, just like the Jalianwala Bagh massacre.
•  The symbolic representation of the 17th century Sikh warrior and martyr, Baba Dip Singh, (seen here supporting his severed head in his hand) whose defense of the Golden Temple against Muslim invaders became legendary, "reflects the common belief among Sikhs that the attack of 1984 paralleled the worst atrocities perpetrated against them in past history".
• Indira Gandhi's inclusion within the painting, (even though she was not physically present during the attack), clearly puts the blame of bloodshed squarely on her shoulders. The severed heads of the Sikh Independence freedom fighter Shaheed Bhagat Singh and that of Guru Tegh Bahadur (the ninth Sikh Teacher who gave up his life to save the Hindu faith) are being shown as offered to India on a sacrificial plate, but they are being frivolously tossed aside by Mrs. Gandhi. These symbols provide a context to the "total incomprehension, deep sense of betrayal and hurt which Mrs. Gandhi's actions evoked within the Sikh community".
• The painting takes on board a more universal message as Mrs. Gandhi is depicted as a "multi headed demon" composed of various 20th century politicians who collectively "represent the kind of political abuse which manipulates the 'dispensable' masses in an obsessive thirst for personal power".

To mark the 20th anniversary of the attack on Golden Temple by the Indian Army, a Fine Art Reprint (27.5 x 41.5 inches) of this painting has been produced as a limited edition, collector’s item on 250gsm Lumisilk Art Paper in 4 color plus special gold ink.

The Singh Twins have pledged that all proceeds from the sale of this Fine Art Print will be contributed to the Toronto Sikh Film Foundation. This non-profit organization was responsible for the first-ever Sikh Film Festival – The Spinning Wheel Festival in Toronto in October 2003 and is now actively promoting and sponsoring the production of films on, about and of Sikhs including “Riding the Tiger” by Michael Singh (a professional film maker), the first-ever documentary film on Sikh pogroms in New Delhi in November 1984 in which thousands of Sikhs were brutally massacred.

The original painting will be on display from 24^th of July 2004 onwards in the upcoming Sikh Heritage Gallery in the Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C.

The Sikh Foundation is stocking and selling this Fine Art Print with dual purpose. Firstly 1984 should never be forgotten for the sake of Sikh youth in the Diaspora and the International Community. Secondly The Sikh Foundation wants to assist the Sikh Film Foundation to raise funds for their noble cause.

Year 2004 is the 20^th anniversary of the holocaust of 1984. To commemorate the attack on Golden Temple, Sikh individuals, Gurdwaras, Organizations and Institutions all over the world are requested to order this print, frame it elegantly and put it on display for posterity.

Click on this link to learn more details or purchase this Print

http://12.44.43.206/sforg/html/detail.asp?catid=38055653761574074000176415&pid=3743772444444444400016689