ISF 2018 Artist-In-Residence: Sandeep Johal

Every year, Indian Summer Festival invites a visual artist to be the festival’s Artist-In-Residence. Artists in this role define the festival’s visual language for the year by creating a work of art in response to the festival’s annual theme. They also create large-scale public artworks, interact with other festival artists and with the public at several events during the festival. Artists who have previously held this title include the graphic novelist Orijit Sen, Art Director Aradhana Seth, contemporary artist Bharti Kher and painter Bhajju Shyam.

In 2018, this position is held by Sandeep Johal. Sandeep is a Canadian visual artist whose colourful geometric forms and intricate black and white line work is aesthetically and conceptually inspired by her South Asian heritage. She believes in the power of art to create awareness around issues related to cultural identity, gender equality, and human rights. Her art practice is an expression of her social and cultural concerns, particularly gender justice. Sandeep has recently completed a number of public projects, most notably for Vancouver Mural Festival (2017, 2018) and she is one of the most prolific and visible artists in Vancouver this year.

Sandeep’s image ‘The Goddess of the Arts’ is the featured artwork on the cover of this program and throughout the festival. See her painting live at our Opening Party, catch her stunning collaborative artwork with Musqueam weaver Debra Sparrow at our PAUSE Pavilion, where you can also attend a workshop with her.

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