A gift more precious than...

The exploration of this work is centred around an artillery trunk, similar to the one my grandfather acquired while serving in Burma with The Sikh Regiment of the British Army during World War II. Through this work I reflect on the continuous renewal of meaning attributed to objects throughout time. While the meaning of objects shifts over time, I am interested in how objects gain significance once people form connections with them and in the stories that emerge out of these connections.

I have turned to literal storytelling to convey my ideas beyond visual narrative. Offering an alternative perspective on the physical environment, while evoking a romantic view for the rural Punjabi way of life, which is under attack from corporate and governmental policies.

The trunk and its contents symbolise the immense power of nature and the human spirit — their resilience, their capacity to transform pain into love, and their ability to turn waste into wonder.

At its core this is a love story, seen through adult eyes, but told through the awe of a child. Take a seat, relax, and listen for a while…

Credits:

Publication design and illustration, Alicia Fernandes; Photography and field recording, Rashpal Sharma (Happy Parji); Sound design, James Hynes; Punjabi narration and edits, Raghbir Singh Dhillon