Spring 2023 Abstract The halo is a familiar symbol across Buddhist, Christian, and Mughal art, but its role in Sikhvisual media has yet to be acknowledged and examined. This article studies the Sikh halo inrelation to key philosophical concepts of dasam dwar (the tenth door/opening, located at thecrown of the head) and anahad naad (an … Read more
Spring 2023 Abstract This paper is a case study of the role of coin collecting in the Sikh diaspora in the United States, witcomparative references to broader sources on Sikh and non-Sikh coin and medal (i.e., numismatic)collecting beyond this one collector and collection. Here we briefly survey the collection of Sikh coinsassembled (within a much … Read more
Spring 2023 Abstract A museum’s relevance must lie in its ability to inspire reflections on the works it contains, fosteringand cherishing a plurality of interpretations. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has been exploringnew avenues of interpretation, rejecting the idea of an exhaustive overview of the arts of the world’svarious regions in the manner of … Read more
Spring 2023 Abstract This paper provides a dual perspective on an exhibit of Sikh art from the Kapany Collection thatwas curated at the Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery at the University of California, Santa Cruz, fromJanuary to March 2022. The collection was donated to the Sikh Foundation International by Dr.Narinder Singh Kapany, a scientist, entrepreneur and … Read more
Spring 2023 Abstract This paper explores the paintings of Sikh artist Arpana Caur. She creates works of art that drawupon motifs from different religions to foster unique interfaith spaces. Her bold and bright strokesof color both illuminate memories of cultural trauma and celebrate religious dedication. She depictspowerful images of boundary and unity, love and harm, … Read more
Sept 2019 Abstract This paper argues that Guru Nanak came to be painted in Hindu-like frontal in single portrait, which implies the preexisting custom of the production and consumption of images of the Sikh Gurus. The idea that he is deified in these paintings is based on the theory that a frontal view is used … Read more