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Through the many exquisite art objects presented in our exhibition Ranjit Singh: Sikh, Warrior, King, visitors can see how the arts developed and thrived during the time of the Sikh Empire. Join Davinder Toor, guest curator of the exhibition, alongside international artists Jatinder Singh Durhailay, Keerat Kaur and Nep Sidhu, as they discuss current influences and legacies in Sikh art.

About the speakers: Guest curator Davinder Toor is a leading figure among a new generation of Sikh, Indian and Islamic art collectors. He has acted as a consultant to major private collectors, auction houses and institutions such as the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and the Wallace Co. He currently lectures on the 'Arts of the Royal Sikh Courts' and 'Sikh Painting and Manuscripts' for the Victoria and Albert Museum’s prestigious 'Arts of Asia' course. Both he and objects from the Toor Collection of Sikh Art were featured on the BBC’s Lost Treasures of the Sikh Kingdom (2014) and The Stolen Maharajah: Britain's Indian Royal (2018) documentaries. The Toor Collection, comprising in excess of 1500 works, acts as a lasting legacy to the empire of the Sikhs.

Jatinder Singh Durhailay is an Oxfordshire-based painter and musician. His artistic practice spans painting and drawing, with a special interest in the usage of naturally derived pigments as well as Indian classical music. Blending myth and contemporary culture, his portrayal of the Sikh community and culture are humorous, heroic and poignant. He paints intricate and observant portraits and scenes in the style of Indian Mughal miniature painting. Jatinder’s work has been shown internationally and features in renowned private and public collections. He is trained in Indian classical music, performing and practising Kirtan and as part of the musical duo, Petit Oiseau, he has played in prestigious museums and galleries.

Keerat Kaur is a Canadian artist and architect (lic. OAA) with Sikh-Panjabi roots. Her work takes shape through the disciplines of painting, sculpture, writing, music, and architecture. Drawing inspiration from Sikh philosophies, she employs the art of metaphor and symbolism to revolutionise our relationship to nature and spirituality. Regardless of the chosen medium, Kaur’s work is firmly rooted in the written word, serving as a pivotal starting point. This characteristic lends her work a profoundly narrative and illustrative quality, as imagery and language seamlessly coalesce, enriching each other’s impact.

Nep Sidhu’s work involves material investigations of textile, sculpture, painting, video, and sound. Through his explorations, Nep seeks pathways to realise the formlessness of the divine through endless possibility, search and sangat (congregation). He is a member of the Black Constellation collective, designs adornment and clothing under the Paradise Sportif's moniker, and helps run Sher-E-Punjab Sports Academy in Chakar, Punjab, with the local community. Nep is based in Toronto, Canada.

Take part at the museum: Join us at the museum for this special discussion panel, followed by refreshments and an opportunity to visit the exhibition Ranjit Singh: Sikh, Warrior, King.

Watch online: This discussion panel will also be broadcast live from the museum. Online ticketholders will be emailed a link to join 24 hours in advance. Ticketholders will also receive a link to view a recording of the event, which will be available for two weeks only