The Artist

ARTIST KANWAR SINGH

Kanwar Singh is globally recognized as a painter of Sikh history with artwork exhibited in prominent public spaces such as the Virasat-e-Khalsa museum in Punjab India, as well as the Without Shape Without Form gallery in London U.K, which was created in 2017 to exclusively house his extensive collection of paintings. His work focuses on the legacy of spiritual devotion and self-sacrifice spanning the lives of the ten Gurus and iconic Sikh heroes inspired by their deep connection to Waheguru (God). He captures quintessential historical moments, which over centuries have forged a dynamic Sikh community through its humble origins in Punjab, to its present political and spiritual standing as the world’s fifth largest religion. The artist continues to build a legacy of work which gives Sikh history a prominent place on the walls of our homes and in the hearts of future generations.

In 2007 Kanwar Singh has emerged as a premier artist of Sikh historical paintings of today’s generation when he established ArtofPunjab. His paintings on the lives of the Gurus and iconic Sikh greats are quickly instilling themselves in the consciousness of emerging generations of Sikhs globally. When he conjures up images of Sikh figures, his paintings convey an uncanny sense of presence, capturing the spirit of iconic subjects in defining moments of history. Since founding ArtofPunjab.com, Kanwar Singh’s ultimate goal has been to create a legacy of work which will give the Sikh story a prominent place on the walls of our homes and in the hearts of future generations. His work reveals the quintessential moments in Sikh history which have shaped a dynamic Sikh community through its nascent beginnings in medieval Punjab to its present political and spiritual standing as the world’s fifth largest faith group.

Born & Raised

BORN IN AMRITSAR

Born in Amritsar India, Canadian artist Kanwar Singh has been creating art for as long as he can remember. He is influenced by a host of past masters such as the Sikh painter Sobha Singh, and Western masters such as Caravaggio and J.W Waterhouse to name but a few. The artwork he creates is wholly original and charts his personal journey into Sikhism.

RAISED IN TORONTO

Growing up in Toronto Canada, Kanwar explored several paths that would allow him to work as a professional artist including animation and book illustration. However, it was when he started to take a keen interest in Sikh history that he discovered the true source of his inspiration as an artist.

Kanwar obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts at York University and a Degree in Classical Animation at the prestigious Sheridan College. Students come from all over the world to study animation at Sheridan because the program has such a strong reputation. Michael Hirsh, co-founder of Nelvana, refers to Sheridan as the “Harvard of Animation”

SPREADING SIKH ART WORLDWIDE

Kanwar Singh says that in his work he seeks to combines the grace and beauty of Sobha Singh’s portraits with the dramatic style of classic renaissance and baroque era painters. In doing so he has created a body of work which stands alone within modern Sikh art exploring the spiritual depth, inspiration and beauty of consummate moments in the Sikh history. These works have been universally recognized by Sikh institutions worldwide as some of the finest Sikh Paintings of the current era, helping shape the image of Sikh history in our hearts and minds.

Exhibitions & Fundraisers

2009

RBC Mehfil Magazine Award of Excellence in arts, a special event honoring Indo-Canadians in recognition of their achievements awarded to Kanwar Singh. The event was held in Vancouver, BC with keynote speaker Peter Mansbridge

2009

New York City Sikh Centennial Gala – Sikh Art Exhibition featuring an extensive collection of artist Kanwar Singh's paintings.

2015

Solo Sikh Art Exhibition - Peel Art Gallery Museum & Archives (PAMA) in Brampton, Ontario as part of Sikh Heritage Month. Now recognized by the Province of Ontario (Bill 52), April has been proclaimed as Sikh Heritage Month recognizing the important contributions that Sikh Canadians have made to social, economic, political and cultural fabric of the country. Kanwar's artworks was featured for the full month including a solo exhibition event during the month.

2016

Toronto's Great War Attic - presented at Toronto International Film Festival - Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the First World War a legacy for Torontonians documented their stories. Kanwar Singh was one of ten individuals selected from over 100 submissions by the City of Toronto Museums and Heritage Services with his portrait of Buckham Singh. This stories are included in Canadian Encyclopedia entitled, “Imagining Buckham Singh” portraying a Sikh Canadian soldiers contribution to the Great War efforts in 1914-1918.

2016

Sikh Heritage Month Ottawa Legislature – Sikh Art Exhibition

2016

Royal Ontario Museum – Sikh Centennial Gala Solo Art Exhibition - the 21st Sikh Centennial Gala took place on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at the Royal Ontario Museum. The Honourable Navdeep Bains, MP Minister of Innovation, Science and Economics was the keynote speaker. Kanwar Singh presented a collection of his artwork as the featured gallery in the reception hall and was viewed by all attendees.

2017

Ontario Legislature Queen’s Park – During the opening ceremony of Sikh Heritage Month 2017, the honorable Linda Jeffery, Mayor of Brampton, unveiled Kanwar Singh’s newest artwork of Baba Jujhar Singh to an audience of dignitaries at the Ontario Legislature.  The painting was presented before representatives from 3 provincial parties at the Queen’s Park celebration with the Sikh community.

2017

Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec – Sikh Art Exhibition

Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Guru Gobind Singh, Kanwar Singh's exhibited his collection of iconic paintings along with an unveiling of his newest art piece, Baba Jujhar Singh ji at the Battle of Chamkaur.

2017

Fundraiser for Markham Stouffville Hospital - In June 2017 the Sikh community held a fundraiser in support of the pediatric care unit at Markham Stouffville Hospital. The community collectively raised $125,000 of which $12,000 was raised through the auction of artwork donated by Kanwar Singh.  The hospital has dedicated the Childbirth and Children’s Services multipurpose education room to the Sikh Community with an official plaque installed. Kanwar Singh's artwork was on display as a solo exhibition during the evening event.

2017

Permanent Sikh Art Gallery - UK’s first Sikh Art Gallery at the GMG Gurdwara is in a modern 7000 sqft gallery space which took design inspiration from London’s renowned contemporary art gallery scene.

The Gallery is the permanent home of the dramatic Sikh paintings by artist Kanwar Singh with a collection of 40 paintings and original drawings, presented on an unprecedented scale. Opens the first Saturday every month.

2018

Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS) in Calgary – Fundraiser

2018

Guru Nanak Free Kitchen Fundraiser in Edmonton, Canada - Kanwar Singh presented an extensive collection of artwork at the Meridian Banquet Hall and sold out of all paintings presented. Proceeds of sales were donated for the construction of the Guru Nanak Free Kitchen, a permanent building in downtown Edmonton serving daily free meals to underprivileged in the inner city community.

2018

Royal York Hotel – Solo Sikh Art Exhibition

2021 - 2024

Journey of the Mind - Touring Sikh Art Exhibition with an exclusive collection of paintings by Kanwar Singh. This exhibition is currently touring in the UK with plans to expand worldwide.

Published/Online Reviews:

01.

“International Journal of Sikh Studies” – Sikh Education Council, Vol 1, Issue 1, 2016

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02.

“Brave New World in Art”

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03.

“Kanwar Singh’s Masterpiece – Guruka Singh Khalsa, Sikhnet Founder, March 2009

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04.

“The Extraordinaries: Five Young Men Of Brampton”

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05.

“UK’s First Permanent Sikh Art Gallery” Harwinder Singh Mander, Nov 4, 2017

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06.

Journey of the mind – Sikh Art Exhibition Glasgow

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