Manish Harijan (BTO2 on Tour)
Manish Harijan is exhibiting as part of our Beyond the Obvious on Tour showcase running from October 5th - 28th at Riverside Gallery in Riverside House, Rotherham.
Manish Harijan is a multidisciplinary artist who lives in Sheffield, UK. He grew up in Nepal as the son of a shoemaker. He completed his postgraduate in fine arts from Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield. Manish practices art in Yorkshire Art Space Sheffield where, through his art, Manish questions the injustices inflicted upon minorities and the lived experiences of vulnerable populations in all societies around the world.
Beyond the Obvious 2 On Tour // Rotherham showcase is a continuation of our Beyond the Obvious publication. With artworks from 11 artists from the global majority, the Riverside Gallery is open for you to come and view the incredible pieces being shared. It acts as a “Sector Snapshot” that highlights the lived experience of artists from the global majority in the Yorkshire and the Humber region.
Find out more here.
Can you tell us a bit about the piece of work you're exhibiting as part of the Beyond the Obvious on Tour//Rotherham Showcase?
Kaliqueen layers both east and west cultural understanding and history. Nepali Gurkhas, serving the British for 200 years to keep peace around the world, inspired me to do this work. The work layers the two images of queen Elizabeth II and Goddesses Kali as well as their immortalization and legacy.
Why do you create?
Creating work for me is to understand belonging, culture, history and contemporary time. It allows me to share my stories that haven’t been heard and explore both historical and contemporary issues all around the world through my experiences and understanding.
Do you consider yourself to be part of an artist network/community, and if so, how does this impact your practice?
Since I have been working as an artist based in Sheffield, it’s been a great environment me to develop my work. Being part of the artist network community has always been wonderful feeling when I can share my thoughts to the other artists and learn. It helps me to participate in several exhibitions and collaborations.
What changes would you like to see in the arts sector?
It should be ethnic, migration and cultural friendly and provide them proper platform to create a better art environment where they have the opportunity. The art sector should erase hierarchy in art.