Gurmehar Singh: Artist
Art is a dynamic that keeps changing, from a visual in the artist's mind to becoming a complete creation. Finding meaning and creativity in art is challenging, as much has already been inquired about through artistic expressions. One must understand its implications through creativity, aesthetic forms, imagination, colour and expressions. The more we understand anything, the more we learn how it can enhance our experience. To have a deeper understanding of art, its meaning, and creativity, we need to understand that art is more than just a visual expression. It can also represent an idea, experience, imagination, a thought-provoking subject, or even invoke motivation for the viewer. It can be made using different techniques, materials, technology, or ideas. More importantly, an artist must bring his thoughts, ideas, and imagination onto the canvas, a patch or a paper through different materials. We cannot dispute that art evokes inspiration and joy within. It serves multiple functions, ranging from bridging gaps between cultures, validating experiences, a form of solace in building a healthy mind, body and soul, and so much more.
When I think of art, I've always been one to colour outside the line… and not in a metaphorical! But I've had the chance to learn more from the world around me. I met Gurmehar through an artist collective. She is an artist and content creator. I had an opportunity to feature her as part of the unscripted interview series. Her work always felt like a powerful presence, vulnerable and relatable, almost similar to that of your favourite no-nonsense older cousin who you know is there to lend an ear but will constantly challenge you to do better.
Please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far…
I am Gurm originally from India but consider myself (and my work) from the world. Am an artist and content creator. Do drawing, painting, mixed media, writing and vlogging. Also do commissions, workshops and interviews. My journey has been an adventure, a process of discovery and super fun!
Do you remember the earliest memory of when you wanted to do what you do today?
I do. Actually creativity started out as a curiosity before it became a passion and career. It was in my middle and high school art classes when my teachers encouraged me to develop my unique style. Just explore and play with it. From them I learnt that it didn’t matter if it was different from others, it didn’t matter if it was not the traditional kind of art people were expecting. Not everyone’s creativity is the same. Different is not bad, different is special. It is you.
Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as an artist?
Yes. It was the end of my gap year and there was a moment when it just clicked that this is what I want to do. All the confusion disappeared. I made the decision to do a masters in visual arts and professionally begin my journey as an artist.
What personality trait do you have that has been most helpful in your art career?
Hmm, if I have to name one, I would say patience. I love to go into the intricate details, whether it be my videos, artworks or written content. It is time consuming, hard work and sometimes gets annoying and frustrating. Same with some non-art related aspects of life. I have learnt to deal with things a lot more calmly and patiently.
As creatives, we work a lot around improvisation. Can you share your thoughts about the relationship you had with improvisation, if any, while you making your art work.
I love the spontaneous aspect of art. Sure, some pieces start with a plan and turn out exactly the way I envisioned. Some pieces stick partly to the plan and are partly spontaneous, totally different from the previous idea. And then... there are some works that I go in with not even the slightest idea, not even the smallest plan. It is just a blank page and pen, or a blank canvas and brush and my hand. I just let it flow the way it wants, do what it wants. Just let my hand guide me.
Gurm, as an artist how often do you find yourself daydreaming?
All the time. For example, at this moment, while I am writing this, I am sitting outside looking at the sky and trees, listening to the birds, soaking in the sun. I could get lost in it for hours. My art is inspired by everything and anything around me, from food to clothes, from movies to nature, from a conversation I had to my inner thoughts. So I day dream quite a lot. And actually my dreams at night have inspired some works too!
There seems to be an unwritten rule that once you become an adult, daydreaming is considered a waste of time. What’s your take on this?
For me, I consider it to be an opportunity to keep my inner child alive and expand my imagination. A chance to live in the present moment and enjoy it fully. A time to soak in the world around us. A moment to pay full attention to that person or thing. So not a waste of time. In this world of technology, hustling, busy busy rush rush, day dreaming gives us a chance to slow down, to reset, to remind ourselves that we need to have the balance. Daydreaming maybe even gives us a chance to plan new goals and have new dreams.
You work with a lot of colour. What do the colour relationships in your expressions represent for you?
I have always loved color. Whenever someone asks me what my favorite color is I like to say “multi-colored “. For me, color celebrates life, hope, beauty. It represents phases, emotions, relationships. For each individual, every color and combination of color has a different connotation unique to their selves. But at the same time, some of the meanings are relatable and connect us all universally.
Is it important that your art feels alive in some way?
Yes, it is very important. I believe that art is in life and life is in art.
For me, when I create, I try and incorporate some part or some story of mine as my art is very personal to me. When I first started, I created for myself. “I am so happy today, I got great news”, “Today is such a hard day, it’s not going well”, “I am really angry and I need to take out my frustrations”, “I am so excited, I need a way to celebrate”, whatever the emotion was, I needed an outlet, and art became that outlet for me. Art is a way for me to tell my story, to share about me and my journey. It is therapeutic.
I feel art connects humanity. Whatever your age is, gender is, nationality is, art transcends all those borders. It goes beyond all that. We feel the same emotions, we have similar stories, we all go through struggles and celebrations. So, while I may have started art for myself, but now as a professional artist (doing it for both myself and the people), I think it is a great way to connect humanity. I feel it gets rid of all our differences.
Have you ever had a moment when you questioned your career entirely?
Oh for sure, and there are still times I get these moments (much less frequently than before, but they are still there). As a creative, you are so mentally, emotionally and physically attached to your work. Putting yourself and your work about there for people to see, talk about, and form their opinions on is at times not so easy. And sometimes, the doubts start sinking in.
When I first started considering art as a career, I had my own stereotypes- “why unnecessarily make a career out of it?”, “I can’t possibly make a living from this”, “art can’t be a career” “what will people think and say?” “will anyone even like my pieces?” “let me just leave it as a hobby”, “need to get a good degree and find a good job” “nothing will happen with art”. I was just growing it as a hobby, and I used to fill sketchbook after sketchbook, it was so fun for me, just a way to spend free time. But it surpassed being a hobby and grew into something much more.
Actually I did my bachelors in communication. I loved it, I was doing really good, I was getting internship and job opportunities. So my plan was to go into advertising or PR or marketing or some field like this, and continue doing art as a side project. But, when I was studying communication (and sketching in my free time), I felt my art grow into something bigger. It was something that came straight out of my soul, and I wanted to do something more with it, something more than a hobby.
If you mentored younger artists who are beginning their art careers what single most important piece of advice would you offer?
You can deal with anything and everything that comes your way- the good, the bad, whatever people say, the light, the dark, the judgements, the encouragement. Everything. Be confident in yourself and your work. You are talented, you are unique and you will shine. Just keep going. At your own speed, in your own way. You do you. And most importantly HAVE FUN!
What career accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
I have been proud of every exhibition, every workshop, every interview, every collab. I feel very grateful for each of them. The one I am most proud of is the ASEAN exhibition in Xiamen, where the travel to and stay at the opening was fully sponsored. Being part of the 95 artists from 18 countries with 200 artworks was an honor.
Do you have an essential philosophy that guides you in your creative expression?
As both an artist and human, I believe in being my true authentic unique self no matter what. Staying true to my values and beliefs always.
Do you find that travel inspires or influences your art?
Yes, it influences my art. I love learning about different cultures, stories and histories from all around the world. Having grown up as a TCK (Third Culture Kid) and considering both myself and my work from the world, I love creating all kinds of pieces.
In our unscripted fashion, we probe this question to everyone. If we had 5 rooms set up by different artists, how would we know which one is yours?
I am fascinated by colors, lines, and shapes and experimenting with the multiple ways to combine them together. I also enjoy combining these patterns with the objects, animals and elements of nature that we interact with on a daily basis. You can recognize my art from its patterns.
