Art
Art is vital in uncertain times, says Winnipeg artist Azka Ahmed – CBC.ca
Art is important not just right now, but always, says interdisciplinary artist Azka Ahmed.
So if you are just dabbling in your own practice privately, or don’t think there is a space for you or your art publicly, think again, says the Winnipeg artist.
“The world needs art. There is a space for you … and you might just change someone’s life,” said Ahmed.
The Winnipeg spoken word poet, who uses they/them pronouns, is the subject of a new short film about their work, which you can watch above.
The four-minute film about Ahmed is the work of local filmmmaker Mandeep Sodhi and delves into the inspiration and motivation behind their art.
While poetry, painting and drawing were their focus, Ahmed also shifted to film and video during the pandemic.
Their work now also focuses on mental health, self-care, vulnerability and compassion, they said. It’s a message they hope others will tune into during these unsettled times.
“What are you doing to take care of yourself?” Ahmed asks in the film. “Have they spent some time inside their mind lately?”
The film about Ahmed is part of Our Culture, Our Art — a four-part video series by Sodhi profiling South Asian artists in Manitoba, created for CBC Manitoba’s Creator Network.
The three other video profiles will be released in the coming days:
- Sunday, Jan. 30: Seema Goel explains how one hitchhiker and a big fib paved the road to a 26-year career as an artist.
- Thursday, Feb. 3: Gurpreet Sehra on how the outdated caste system informs her work.
- Sunday, Feb. 6: Sisters Saira and Nilufer Rahman explain how they honour their late father’s storytelling traditions.
The four-part series was produced in conjunction with CBC Manitoba’s pop-up remote newsroom bureau and community space in Garden City Shopping Centre in late 2021.
Meet the filmmaker
Mandeep Sodhi is a screenwriter, cinematographer and director, who has been based in Winnipeg since 2011. He has more than 13 years of experience in the film industry in India, the United States and Canada.
He has won two national awards in India for his docudramas, and his music videos have been nominated for national and international Music Awards in India, Asia and Sierra Leone.
In 2015, Mandeep won the ACTRA Manitoba Golden Boy award for most outstanding member initiated poject for his short film The Perfect Little Plan.
He has written and directed for television and has had his works broadcast on Bell MTS, Super Channel and various on-demand platforms. His film company is Sodhi Creative Films.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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