Thanks to the Sikhlens Foundation, the Leatherby Libraries is proud to host the landmark exhibition The Art of Japneet Kaur. Currently on view through January 2024 in the Leatherby Libraries’ Hall of Art on the first floor.

The pieces in this exhibition were created by Japneet Kaur, a Sikh woman raised in Punjab. The art in this exhibit is heavily influenced by Kaur’s positive memories of growing up in Punjab. She captures the feeling of nostalgic youth through her artwork by exploring her personal stories, real and imagined, that tell the stories of her most treasured childhood memories. Her illustrations are filled with color and wonderment that highlight the themes of home, nature, migration, and community, influencing how she sees the world.

Kaur’s goal with this exhibition was to honor the place where she grew up. Her art tells her personal story while connecting to universal human experiences, allowing her art to evoke emotional connections with viewers.

The exhibition will remain on display through January 2024.

This exhibition opens on Thursday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the Leatherby Libraries’ Hall of Art on the first floor. This event is open to the public. Vishavjit Singh and Harinder Sandhu will be speaking at this event.

Vishavjit Singh is an illustrative artist who will discuss art, diversity, and his animated film American Sikh, premiering at the Sikhlens 2023 Film Festival. Harinder Sandhu is the CTO of Health and Life Sciences Solutions at Microsoft and will be talking about the emerging generative image and video generation technology and its impact on filmmaking. 

Sikhlens, The World’s Premier Sikh Film Festival, seeks to provide an outlet for sharing Sikh heritage and culture with the rest of the world by creating awareness for ” Sikh-centric work,” showcasing our talent, and instilling pride in our community.

Did you know that the Leatherby Libraries has a Sikhs and Sikhism in America Group Study Room? In this study room, students can study and conduct their research while learning about the Sikh community’s culture, religion, artistry, and long tradition of serving in the U.S. military. This room (208) is located on the 2nd floor of the Leatherby Libraries in the Attallah Library of Arts & Humanities and Fine Arts Collection. This room is available for booking on the Leatherby Libraries website for all Chapman Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni.

The Leatherby Libraries’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts align with the Chapman University Strategic Plan for Diversity & Inclusion, fostering a diverse and inclusive campus climate.