Leader & District Arts Council Host Madhu Kumar Art Exhibit

The Leader & District Arts Council is currently hosting an incredible art exhibit at the Leader Town Office.

Artist, Madhu Kumar, was born and raised in India and came to Canada in 2001. In 2008, she received her Canadian citizenship, living in both Toronto and Ottawa before moving to Regina in 2011.

Her paintings are portraits of different women who have immigrated to Canada.

“In 2001, soon after I arrived in Toronto, I met another new Canadian who was struggling to raise her nine-year-old daughter by herself. I empathized with her because I knew how difficult it was to raise children even when you have the support of a partner. I offered to take care of her daughter after school until she returned at night after working long hours at her job. I felt her pain as a single mother being far from her family and friends,” Kumar shared in an OSAC press release.

After meeting with the women, Kumar decided to paint them in their daily lives. “I wanted to capture the experiences of newcomer women on canvas. I started by contacting women through the Immigrant Women Centre in Regina. I went to their homes and with my camera, recorded their joys and problems. Most of the feelings I heard were of loneliness, emptiness, and sadness.”

Kumar’s paintings are also displayed with text written by the person in the portrait. For an even more immersive experience, those visiting can download the free “ARTVIVE” app on their smart device which will allow the painting to turn into a video interview.

The exhibit runs until April 23rd, 2021. You can visit Monday – Friday between 8:30 a.m. 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.