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Artist/Maker
Nirbhai (Nep) Singh Sidhu
(Canadian, born Great Britain, born 1981)
Date2019
MediumChromed steel and cotton thread
DimensionsOverall: 27 3/4 × 27 1/2 × 12 in. (70.5 × 69.9 × 30.5 cm)
Credit LinePurchase, William G. Roehrick '34 Art Acquisition and Preservation Fund.
Object number2025.11
On view
DescriptionNep Sidhu is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans painting, sculpture, textile, and video. Nirankar Object in the Sound of Ek is a rumination upon some of the philosophies central to his Sikh heritage, specifically “Nirankar,” the concept of a formless God whose presence nonetheless manifests in many ways. The composition is an homage to traditional Sikh art, which is itself influenced by Islamic geometric patterning. Each of the nineteen chromed steel bars is distinct, yet their respective forms influence one another, symbolizing interconnectedness. A delicate white string at the top represents the fragile connections that bind us together despite the literal and metaphorical space that separates us from others in everyday life. While the bars can be rotated, here they align as a unified whole, suggesting the clarity and harmony one must cultivate throughout their life. The word “Ek” translates to “one” in Punjabi, underscoring the work’s message of unity, while its mirror-like surface invites viewers to see themselves as a part of this conversation—a prompt to begin pondering the barriers that separate or unite us as humans.
Collections
Additional Details
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