Kirandeep Grewal is a Canberra-based artist and educator whose creative practice revolves around mindfulness in daily life. Her work invites reflection, emphasizing the value of learning and sharing through art. Over time, she has developed a diverse set of techniques, influenced by her travels and her experiences with artisans from various cultural backgrounds. Her artistic output spans from silk scarves to wall hangings and paintings, utilizing materials such as silk, canvas, and paper. At the core of her art lies an invitation for viewers to explore themes of harmony, migration, and their connection to the natural world.
One of her standout textile works from 2023, A Journey, embodies these ideas. The 65 x 63 x 2 cm framed piece is composed of hand-dyed silk, linen, cotton, wool, and denim, all intricately embroidered with DMC threads. The inspiration for this piece came during Australia’s Harmony Week, a celebration of diversity. As she worked on it through the winter, Kirandeep reflected on the concept of harmony—both in society and within herself. The work connects deeply with the Australian landscape, its flora, and fauna, while symbolizing her personal efforts to cultivate balance in life. This introspection laid the foundation for her subsequent works that delve further into her migration experience.
Migration is a recurring and deeply personal subject in Kirandeep’s art. Her experiences as a migrant in Australia have shaped much of her creative expression. Two of her more recent paintings from 2024, A Learning Journey and Green Vase, continue this exploration. Both pieces, measuring 60 x 46 x 2 cm, offer unique perspectives on her migration journey and her growing connection to the land.
In A Learning Journey, she depicts a self-portrait with her three children, accompanied by a magpie—a bird commonly seen in Australia, symbolizing hope and joy. For Kirandeep, migration transcends mere physical relocation; it represents an act of love for future generations. The painting illustrates her belief that migration is a decision made with the well-being of one’s descendants in mind. The intimate portrayal of her children emphasizes the bond she feels with them. Meanwhile, the magpie’s presence adds a symbolic layer, highlighting how Australia has welcomed her family into its vibrant environment.
Green Vase, another 2024 acrylic painting, shifts attention to her garden. Featuring dried daffodils from her own garden, this work underscores the delicate nature of life itself. The depiction of the fragile flowers reflects her appreciation for the transient beauty of nature, serving as a metaphor for the migrant experience. As someone navigating the complex process of migration, Kirandeep finds in her garden a source of grounding and stability. The work expresses the tension between holding onto one’s roots while embracing the inevitable changes that come with new beginnings.
Both A Learning Journey and Green Vase explore Kirandeep’s migration journey through themes of growth, connection, and identity. For her, migration is not about losing oneself but rather about patiently discovering and embracing who you are. Her work encourages viewers to reflect on their own relationships with change and belonging, inviting them to chart their paths with the same gentle resolve.
Kirandeep’s journey of exploring migration continues to evolve, with more artworks contributing to this ongoing narrative. Her fusion of textile art and painting creates a space for complex themes to be examined in a calm and thoughtful manner. The inclusion of hand-dyed textiles and elements from her everyday surroundings adds a tactile, grounded aspect to her work, allowing viewers to connect more intimately with the physical world she portrays.
Reflecting on Kirandeep Grewal’s body of work, it is clear that her art is as much about the process of creation as it is about the finished pieces. Whether through the detailed hand embroidery in her textile work or the careful brushstrokes of her paintings, her creations speak to the universal themes of harmony, connection, and the search for identity. Her art invites others to embark on their own journeys of reflection and understanding, resonating with those seeking peace and belonging in a fast-moving world.
