To kill a bully with kindness : Chemould CoLab | Gurjeet Singh

Aksar shabd sui ke jaise chub jate hai.

Words have power — so often they ‘stab like needles’. Throughout his life, Gurjeet Singh has witnessed heinous threats and queerphobic gaalis being thrown at those who defy heteronormative archetypes. Reflecting further upon related news headlines, social media slander, and anecdotes recounted by friends and relatives, Singh’s new body of soft sculptures and drawings seeks ways to build resilience. It demonstrates his realisation that reciprocating with anger is the least productive response to words of abuse.

Singh’s figures manifest as eccentric, phallic forms with exaggerated facial features. We see eyeballs fallen out of their sockets, the exclusion of eyes, ears, or lips, and lips pressed together tightly. His expressive, monochromatic drawings on thick wasli paper also feature mouths spewing fire, double-mouthed faces, and sharp tongues that contemplate the audacity and violence with which prejudiced individuals express hatred. Capturing experiences of severe discomfort, his works simultaneously embody a quiet defiance.

Harnessing the power of used textiles to conjure deeply personal associations, Singh stitches scrap fabrics he has collected into multiple layers, literally building thick skin. Every piece becomes a palimpsest, intermeshing myriad emotional worlds. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of Kintsugi wherein cracks in ceramic are filled with gold to espouse imperfection, he covers his sculptures’ surfaces with transparent organza and gold or silver stitching. This exposes the layers underneath, rife with blemishes and tears, showcasing hints of forgotten stories, buried secrets, and repressed pasts. Leaking to the forefront, they display a sense of vulnerability and strength.

Singh’s works inspire a quest to reconcile with past traumas, both personal and collective. As he exemplifies, this involves embracing more authenticity and intentionality. He encourages audiences to share and unpack diverse narratives as part of a broader exercise in community building and empowerment.

- Pooja Savansukha, 2024