November

All Hands On Deck 1997 52 x 74.5cm (20.25 x 28.25in) Poster color, gouache and gold dust on mount board Artist: Rabindra K.D. Kaur Singh

In this painting the artist’s family can be seen preparing a wedding feast in the front yard outside their home. Inspired by the Royal camp scenes of traditional Persian miniatures, the composition is dominated by a large, decorative, gazebo. Beneath this, the cooking takes place, supervised by the artist’s father who stirs the curry using a long stick for a spoon!

Meanwhile, the rest of the family, both adults and children, busy themselves with other jobs: peeling and chopping the vegetables, sifting the rice, kneading the dough for chapattis, washing pots and sweeping etc. “Despite the hard work involved, such occasions are cheerful in that they provide an opportunity for the family to get together socially and enjoy themselves by sharing gossip and jokes.” This is the atmosphere expressed here by the smiling faces of those gathered and the bright background of saffron - a festive color that signifies happiness in Indian symbolism.

The painting praises the institution of the extended Asian family “whose members work together to create a strong, self supported unit.” In addition, the artist emphasizes “the importance of family as a ‘training ground’ for learning the mutual responsibilities and duties that form the basis of a stable society.” The artist’s rejection of ‘Individualism’ in the West is satirically symbolized by the Union Jack cardboard box, which has been tossed amongst the pile of rubbish (bottom, right).

This is one of five paintings around the theme of the Punjabi wedding which inspired the children’s book Bindhu’s Wedding. Written by the artists in 1999, this gives a comical and light-hearted view of the various stages of the wedding as described by their little sister Bindhu - using both English and Punjabi in poetry form.