Anti-Racism Book Cover Design

If you are interested in anti-racism and education, check out this great one-day conference happening in Toronto on Monday, Oct. 4 from 3-9pm at UofT Scarborough Campus, 1265 Military Trail, Rm AA-160 (Council Chambers).

p.s. I designed the book cover.

Three Dollars An Hour

Click on image for a better view.
Three versions of a recent poster I designed for a community arts event in Toronto. Which would you choose?

Subzero

For you, my tears don't stop.

Top: We Have Triumphed, 2008
Middle: You either have it or you don't, 2006
Bottom: nah rukte hain ansoo, 2008

Yesterday, before I heard news of the latest Israeli assault on Gaza, I begin incorporating the words of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish (1942-2008) into my drawings. His words "We have triumphed over the plan to oust us from history" remind me that erasure of a people is not possible, no matter how many bombs are dropped, how many homes are razed, how many people are systematically starved, and how many history books are written and rewritten. Ironically, today, as Israel attempts once again to oust Palestinians from history, the spirit of those who survive will triumph.

The piece in the middle is a small collage I made a few years back. It was an exercise in response to the famous George W. Bush line: "You are either with or or against us." I cannot DISAGREE more.

The piece on the top is inspired by a Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan qawaali. This line translates as: "The tears don't stop".

The top and bottom works are dedicated to all those that have died from Israeli occupation, state terrorism, violence and aggression, including Palestinians and Arab and Jewish Israelis. For you, my tears don't stop.

Now Or Never

These were words I started saying to myself a few months back. Like a personal guide, "Now Or Never" is helping me live a life without regret. As Hafiz has said: (translated, of course)

One regret, dear world,
That I am determined not to have
When I am lying on my deathbed
Is that
I did not kiss you enough.
- Hafiz

Of course, "Now Or Never" is not poetic as Hafiz, but I believe the sentiment is the same. It is about cultivating and sharing your love, in every moment, in every day. It is also about acknowledging, cherishing and following your dreams, kissing the world as it were.

For me, following my (creative) dreams has led me to quit my full-time job as of last week, travel to India as of next week and share my love as of now.

And what are these (creative) dreams that I am following? They come in two parts. Part 1: I want to make fresh to death art, design and photography while financially supporting my family. I also want to be able to teach "disadvantaged" (1) youth of colour creative skills and an appreciation of non-canonized aesthetics. Part 2: It will become clear as I slow down and spend some time away, in India.

In short, life is short, so if you can and you want to, then do it now. And if you can't, but you want to, then prepare to do it and do it when you are ready.

A special thanks to my friends and family who have supported and encouraged me to make art and design. You know who you are and I sure as hell couldn't have taken this step without you. Peace.

[btw: up there is an old collage of my nana, masi, mother and colonial India next to a new sketch of ek onkar.]

Blogs were not meant for footnotes! But here goes anyway:
(1) The "disadvantaged" are ALWAYS advantaged in ways those always/already "advantaged" can never be and can often not understand.