University welcomes back acclaimed contemporary art duo for April lecture

Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh, known for their distinctive, highly decorative, narrative and symbolic style, will return to the University of Chester on Thursday, April 3 to discuss their personal ‘Artistic Responses to Empire and Colonialism and its Legacies’.

Although more widely recognised for their paintings, the Twins are also published illustrators, writers, filmmakers and designers. They have received many awards, including an MBE each in 2011 and Honorary Doctorates from the University of Chester in 2015 for their outstanding contribution to British art.

The duo has exhibited their work across the globe from Britain and Continental Europe through to India and North America. Their most recent exhibition, ‘Slaves of Fashion’, which explores narratives of Empire connected to the history of global trade in Indian textiles, will be the focus of their talk highlighting crucial themes that these works address from colonialism, and cultural ownership through to the politics and ethics of trade, past and present. 

The event at the Exton Park site will complete the University’s 2024-25 Culture and Society Research and Knowledge Exchange Institute (RKEI) Public Lecture Series.

The series has featured talks from: Liam Evans-Ford, Executive Director and CEO of Theatr Clwyd; Dr Helen West, Senior Lecturer in English Language at the University and English Language graduate Esther Humphries; Landscape Archaeologist for long-running programme, Time Team and University of Chester Visiting Professor, Stewart Ainsworth; and sculptor, Stephen Broadbent, who also dedicated a sculpture to the University ahead of his lecture.

Tim Grady, Professor of Modern European History and Director of the Culture and Society RKEI at the University said: “The lecture series has brought hundreds of people to the University to hear the fascinating insights of our speakers.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming The Singh Twins next month, who began their careers as students at the University of Chester, meaning this talk will be something of a homecoming. Their talk is sure to conclude the 2024-25 series on an extremely high note.”

The event will take place from 6pm to 7.15pm, at the School of Education, Exton Park.

For further information and to book free places, please visit: https://www.chester.ac.uk/about/events/event-details/artistic-responses-to-empire-and-colonialism-and-its-legacies.php

ENDS

Image: The Singh Twins. Image copyright Christopher Doyle Photography.