Find out about the Artspace Ambassador’s Exhibition 21 – 30 July 2022
In 2020, Coventry Artspace researched and produced an Audience Development Strategy. Our strategy recognises the lack of historical engagement with ethnically diverse communities as both artists and audiences.
Coventry Artspace South Asian Ambassadors. From left to right: Mandip Seehra, Kitty Kaur, Gayatri Pasricha, Jatin Leahl, Dav Kaur, Gurdip Junjuha. Photo by Mandip Seehra.
One of the recommendations advised setting up an Ambassadors Scheme, designed to support Coventry Artspace to work closely with members of local ethnically diverse communities. It also identified the first Ambassadors Scheme to focus on local South Asian communities, due to this community being a new audience to the organisation whilst being the largest ethnically diverse population in Coventry.
South Asian in this project refers to communities of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Sri Lankan heritage who may also identify as dual or mixed heritage. In all cases, this project recognises the right for the individual to self-identify.
Some key points in the Coventry Artspace Audience Development strategy is to:
- be working with a pool of local artists more representative of the city’s demographics.
- to reach local audiences more representative of the city’s demographics.
- Coventry Artspace programme to be more representative of local demographics.
- explore and establish the role Coventry Artspace can play in promoting, platforming and advocating Black, Asian and ethnically diverse artists.
- ensure that Coventry Artspace is committed to equality by providing opportunities and experiences that are available, accessible and inclusive.
The South Asian Ambassadors scheme was set up in September 2021 with the following ambassadors, who are already demonstrating their individual and collective contribution to making Coventry Artspace a more accessible and inclusive organisation. And the work has only just began.
Gurdip Junjuha
Gurdip was born into a Sikh background. She is an abstract artist who likes to express her emotions through her artwork. Gurdip works as a support worker and describes herself as a fun and bubbly person. She joined the Coventry Artspace South Asian Ambassadors Scheme as her ambition is to help the community grow and to find and nurture hidden talent.
Instagram: @my_abstract_life_
Facebook: @gurdipjunjuha
Dav Kaur
Dav is a Coventry based activist, passionate about social causes relating to women, especially South Asian women. Professionally, she has carved a career as a mentor, business consultant , web designer and in social media management. Dav’s forte is operational, organising events and developing new technologies. She is also a creative writer and poet. As a South Asian Ambassador for Artspace, she is looking to work more closely with the arts sector and to support South Asian artists. Dav is keen to share her expertise in organising events such as TEDXCoventry and International Womens Day and to give local artists an opportunity to take part in these events.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/davkaur04
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davinder-kaur04
Kitty Kaur
Kitty Kaur is a visual artist and facilitator and podcaster based in Coventry and Warwickshire. Coming from a media background, she grew up involved in community centres but developed a spark in creativity and facilitating for people based in the Foleshill area. Kitty is always creating in many ways and strives to find something new that always links to creativity.
Instagram/Facebook: @the_arty.birb
Podcast – Kitty Quirks https://open.spotify.com/episode/2mLsKrPkUjFsuRrfpMyY3r?si=v6-vJrFNSES9hwxzi7XFOg&utm_source=copy-link
Jatin Lealh
Jatin is International Trade Director by profession and Creative Director at Lealh & Singh collective by passion. He is Coventry based and strongly influenced by the love of culture, heritage and Indian mythology. Jatin co-founded “Lealh & Singh Collective” in 2015 and has been realising his vision and inspiration into artworks made using traditional art techniques such as “Madhubani Art” and “Tanjore Art ” by collaborating with highly skilled teams of art technicians and artists based in India. He is passionate about cultural development and promotion of the arts in Coventry and therefore very excited to join the Coventry Artspace South Asian Ambassadors Scheme.
Website: www.lealhsingh.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lealhsingh/?hl=en
Gayatri Pasricha
Gayatri is a graphic designer with an academic background in philosophy. In her art and design projects, she looks to explore the language of design in the South Asian community, which is usually unrepresented in the digital sphere. Gayatri has been volunteering to promote Indian classical music and arts for the last sixteen years. As a South Asian Ambassador for Artspace she hopes to expand the narrative of South Asian culture and get the community to reconnect with their artistic roots.
Website: www.guy3.myportfolio.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/guy3designs
Mandip Seehra
Mandip is a fine arts photographer based in Coventry. He is a Licentiate member of the Royal Photographer Society and a Trustee of Coventry Artspace. As a photographer Mandip looks to capture the world and people around him, specialising in portraiture. In his role as South Asian Artspace Ambassador, he aims to promote local arts and artists, helping to provide an inclusive and diverse arts platform within the city and beyond.
Axisweb: www.axisweb.org/p/mandipsinghseehra/
Instagram: @surreal7 @mycoventry2021
Facebook: Mandip Singh Seehra Photography
Shorna
Shorna is an artist and illustrator, based in the UK. She mainly works on canvases and papers using oils, acrylic paints, watercolours, and graphite in realism style. She is a nature lover and has strong interests in different cultures, languages, and contrasts of lives. She has many hobbies, painting and music are on the top of the list.
She takes inspirations from nature and people. Her paintings and works have strong contrasts and vibrant colours. Spreading positivity, love, mindfulness, peace, and sweetness have the priority in her practice. Over the years, she has polished her skills on realistic arts and still learning to improve every day. She believes every day is an opportunity to learn something new. Her journey on learning will continue.
