Sandeep Johal

May's global theme is 'NOW' and we are delighted to feature local visual artist, muralist, author, and mother Sandeep Johal.

Sandeep Johal is a multidisciplinary visual artist whose practice engages drawing, collage, textiles, and large-scale mural painting. Through her distinct Indo-folk feminine aesthetic she confronts themes of bleakness, despair and ugliness with their dissonant opposites: brightness, hope and beauty. In particular, Johal sets out to continue a conversation about complex topics ranging from gender-based violence and femicide to identity and motherhood.

Johal has worked on notable projects with the Vancouver Art Gallery, Burrard Arts Foundation, Indian Summer Festival and Vancouver Mural Festival as well as with clients such as the Vancouver Whitecaps, Holt Renfrew, Lululemon and Earls Restaurant Group. Her work is in the permanent collection of Surrey Art Gallery. Johal lives and works in Vancouver, BC.

How do you define Creativity?
Creativity is something that exists within all of us in many different forms. It's truly the essence of who we are, but like anything worth preserving, it needs to be cared for and tended to on a regular basis otherwise it becomes stagnant and harder to access as we get older. I try my best to bring creative energy into whatever I'm doing, whether it's related to my art practice or not.

Where do you find your best creative inspiration or energy?

I used to buy into the whole sit-around-and-wait-for-inspiration-to-strike myth, but I've since realized the more you flex your creative muscle, the larger it grows, and with that comes an unending well of ideas. My struggle lies in finding enough time to execute all of my ideas!

What’s one piece of creative advice or a tip you wish you’d known as a young person?

Make the work you want to make and the right people will find you.

Who (living or dead) would you most enjoy hearing speak at CreativeMornings?

This is a tough one! But, I'd love to hear the remarkable story of Phoolan Devi, India's Bandit Queen, from her own perspective. She's a controversial figure for sure, but there's something so extraordinary about a woman who lives by her own rules in a society that tries to control every aspect of her life.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

In the wee hours of the morning in my early 20s, I saw an older man get stabbed in an alleyway and I drunkenly chased after the assailant. We ended up getting the man to the hospital in time and thankfully, he survived. The police caught the assailant due to our description. A few months later, I was subpoenaed to testify in court. My Indian mother was not impressed with my heroic act at all. Ha ha.

What are you reading these days?

I’m super into short stories - currently reading Grand Union by Zadie Smith and just finished How To Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa. The next two books in my pile are The Best American Short Stories guest edited by Roxanne Gay and Under a Kabul Sky, short fiction by Afghan Women.

What fact about you would surprise people?

That I used to be a jock! One of my nicknames in high school was "Hoops".

How would you describe what you do in a single sentence to a stranger?

I'm a visual artist and muralist who uses my Indo-folk feminine aesthetic to tackle tough subject matter, like men's violence against women, in an effort to promote awareness, encourage dialogue, and effect meaningful change.

What's the most recent thing you learned (big or small)?

The only thing I can control in this world is myself.

What myths about creativity would you like to set straight?

That being an artist is a viable career path and you can absolutely make a good living from it. I'm so tired of the starving artist myth and am working hard to smash it.

Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?

One of the biggest influences in my life was my grade 7 teacher Stephen Russell. He was beloved by many and unfortunately passed away unexpectedly when I was in grade 10. I was crushed. With his background in theater, wild orange hair, and crazy pants, he was the essence of creativity. But most of all, he believed in me and pushed me out of my comfort zone in so many ways. I felt so seen and supported by him.

What are you proudest of in your life?

That I left my job in my 40's as a new mom and worked through a huge amount of fear to build a successful thriving art practice/business. I never dreamed the life I have now was possible. I get up every morning knowing I get to do what I love. You can't put a price on that.

If you could interview anyone living or dead, but not a celebrity, who would it be and why?

My paternal grandmother. My dad and her were very close but she died soon after he married. Relatives say we're very similar in appearance and personality. I wish I could've known her and learned more about my family history.

What was the best surprise you’ve experienced so far in life?

How much I enjoy motherhood. I never really thought about marriage that much. I never knew if I would end up having kids either. But I got married and had my son, and even though motherhood has been the most physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging thing I've ever done, I love it. I love having my little buddy by my side day in and day out.

Where is your favourite place to escape?

Galleries! Seeing art in person, not in tiny perfectly curated squares on social media, does wonders for the soul. I love getting up close and getting lost in the details of the work.

What was the best advice you were ever given?

"Never Settle” from my late grade 12 Biology teacher Arnie Seigo.

If you had fifteen extra minutes each day, what would you do with them?

Probably sleep, or thinking about sleeping while procrastinating!

What is the one movie or book every creative must see/read?

The documentary Bones Brigade by Stacey Peralta. You don’t have to be a skater (I certainly wasn’t/am not), but to see the birth of legends and the creativity, DIY spirit, and grit that got them there is pretty inspirational. Achieving anything great in any discipline requires commitment, patience, belief, and good old fashioned hard work.