DES PARDES (group)
The Reach Gallery | Abbotsford, British Columbia |Oct 14, 2023 - June 15, 2024
Des Pardes explores and celebrates the vibrant and diverse South Asian communities of the Fraser Valley. The phrase “des pardes”—which can translate to “home and abroad” or “Motherland/Other Land”—embodies the sense of longing for, and belonging to, an ancestral place that is experienced differently across generations.
Personal accounts, archival documents, photographs, heirlooms, and works of art contributed by members of local South Asian Canadian communities are organized around the themes of migration, faith, family, business and livelihoods, oppression and opposition, and contemporary culture.
Des Pardes highlights the importance of tradition and multigenerational family bonds, the tenacity of individuals and communities in the face of adversity and discrimination, and the significant impact that these communities have had in shaping Abbotsford and the surrounding region.
A legacy website, which will preserve a virtual record of the exhibition for the future, will be launched in 2024.
Text by The Reach Gallery
Photo credit: Rachel Topham Photography
”In Motherland - Mother Hand, commissioned for the Des Pardes exhibition, Sandeep Johal worked with six South Asian Canadian women to create a scene which celebrates the work of mothers, and the strength they bring to families. The mural not only celebrates the vital role of mothers but also delves into the overarching theme of the traditionally unnoticed and undervalued nature of domestic work. Johal skillfully translates these sentiments into visual representation within the mural, providing a poignant and compelling illustration of the often overlooked aspects of domestic labour.”