In the bustling city of London, a unique artist known as Inkquisitive is making waves in the art world through his evocative and thought-provoking works.
Born Amandeep Singh, the 36-year-old illustrator and graphic artist has gained international acclaim for his distinctive style, wielding vibrant colours and intricate details, conveying profound themes.
Inkquisitive’s journey is a testament to his resilience and creativity: growing up in a Sikh family, Singh often found himself struggling to find a place in society, fuelling his passion and driving him to create pieces that reflect his experiences and observations.
Speaking to councillors of Brampton, Canada, Paul Vicente and Rod Power, Singh said: “I feel like it’d be a crime if I wasn’t doing this.
“If I’m not doing this then I am making a mistake.”
Despite facing initial challenges in a competitive industry, his breakthrough came with the use of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram and today he has over 300,000 followers.
His work has been featured in exhibitions across the world, such as the UK, United States and India, further cementing his place in the global art scene and showcasing the world-wide scale of his messages.
In London, his home city, Inkquisitive’s art has been prominently displayed in several prestigious galleries including the renowned Saatchi Gallery, attracting both art enthusiasts and critics.
Despite his success, Singh remains committed to using his art for a greater purpose even through the controversy his pieces may cause.
In the caption of one of his Instagram posts, he wrote: “It never gets easier to share parts of my mind with everyone so I hope if it’s not enjoyed, I at least hope my art will serve you for whatever purpose it was meant to…”
One of the most prevalent themes that Singh explores in his artwork is racism and the differing perceptions of individuals surrounding diversity in society.
On Instagram, Singh spoke about the hardships he has faced in society: “At the expense of choosing to adorn my turban in a society that discriminates difference in visual appearance, I have had almost every name under the sun thrown at me. Physically and virtually.”
A particularly poignant piece by Inkquisitive is an illustration based on a viral video of a young Sikh boy who faced bullying. The artwork portrays the strength and innocence of a child standing up against adversity.
On social media, accompanying this artwork, Singh wrote: “To the brother in the viral video getting ‘bullied’, consider this your way to ‘climb back up’.
“And if it means anything, here l am, the same Inkquisitive typing this letter to you, that went through all that!”
He further wrote: “God didn’t gift me with the talents to be a ‘role model or coach’ so that’s not what I’m trying to be, but he did give me a platform to spread a message through creativity”.
For Londoners, following Inkquisitive is particularly compelling as his work captures the essence of the city’s diverse cultural landscape whilst also addressing issues that resonate with its inhabitants.
16-year-old from south west London Eesher Kaur Chag said: “I’ve been following Inkquisitive for a while now and he has helped me believe that being a Sikh, Punjabi girl living in London is something to be celebrated and makes me unique and I am now not afraid to showcase my diversity.”
Inkquisitive continues to make art and share his groundbreaking pieces with the world and will continue to do so.
