Babneet Paul Lakhesar b. 1993

Born Punjabi, India  

Lives and works in Toronto, Canada 

BFA in Sculpture and Installation, OCADU, Toronto CA 2015

Babneet Lakhesar is a punjabi-Canadian visual artist who lives in Toronto, and primarily works in Acrylic Paintings and Sculpture. At the age of seven she immigrated to Canada with family from India. Her experiences as an immigrant and her cultural background have greatly influenced her practice. She draws inspiration from her Indian heritage and art forms such as traditional miniature paintings and frescoes. Incorporating these motifs and patterns, she creates vibrant and striking imagery in her paintings. The artist's work explores themes of self-identity, identity crisis and challenges societal notions of beauty and representation. Often, the artist will depict herself in her art, particularly in her photography, as a means of exploring these themes and expressing her own experiences and perspectives. She takes a colorful pop approach to her work, which is an important aspect of her artistic style, and the vibrant and bold colors of traditional Indian art are central to her aesthetic. By doing so, she hopes to provide a space for marginalized voices and start a conversation about the experiences of diaspora, displacement, and the search for a sense of belonging. Her personal immigration story is an integral part of her artistic journey and is reflected in her work.