(UN)LEARN

Is true play an act of discipline? Ahead of their TOTAL RESPONSE performance in New York, artists Carlos Niño and Nirbhai (nep) Singh Sidhu join Deep K Kailey to explore the rigorous yet joyful practice of creative expression. They discuss the concept of Simran and the profound responsibility of sharing it with care and integrity. Exploring their deep artistic connection, they reflect on the freedom found in the 'just doing'—where creation becomes a boundaryless act. The conversation moves into the nature of a "weak mind" and how easily it is influenced.
Carlos Niño is an internationally renowned percussionist, producer, and composer known for his collaborative approach to spiritual jazz and ambient music (and the concerts Music Director). nep Sidhu is an interdisciplinary practitioner whose work explores the metaphysics of form and spatial rhythm. In collaboration with without SHAPE without FORM and other artists, they create immersive experiences that challenge the boundaries of sound and spirit.

What do you do when a "creative" industry fails to fulfill your purpose? Artist Sejal Parekh shares her non-linear journey, from earning a BA in fine art to years in marketing, and the essential pull that brought her back to the studio. She discusses her experiential sculptural work, including a piece inspired by a vivid memory of a stone handmill (chaki) that was contested by others. We explore the deep freedom in unlearning the need for context, allowing art to be experienced directly, and the joy of finding your true path home.

Sejal Parekh is a British-Indian cross-disciplinary artist whose sculptural practice serves as a cartographic intervention into the geographies of displacement. Her work transforms objects and motifs into complex instruments of critical refusal. https://sejalparekh.art/

Guest Curator: Xavier Leopold https://xavierleopoldstudio.com

How do we stay grounded in our purpose when the world offers us the trap of ego? BAFTA-longlisted animator Gagandeep Kaur Chahal joins us to discuss the profound shift in perspective that motherhood has brought to her life and work. We explore the deep research behind her acclaimed animation 'Cha', inspired by the incredible resilience, love and detachment of Bibi Jagdish Kaur, and what it means to practice detachment in a high-stakes creative industry. Gagandeep shares her commitment to making art for its original purpose rather than views or accolades, while offering a critical look at AI and why it can never replace the contextual, lived human experience that gives art its soul.

Gagandeep Kaur Chahal is a BAFTA-nominated animator and artist celebrated for her ability to weave complex narratives with emotional depth. Her work often explores themes of history, memory, and resilience, combining technical mastery with a commitment to storytelling that prioritises human connection over digital convenience.

What is the true currency of life? Artist, poet, and visual storyteller Tyreis Holder invites us into the "portals into her mind," sharing how her textile and poetry practice became a vital healing device after debilitating grief. We discuss the challenge of overthinking and the freedom found in simply giving yourself permission to 'just do' when words fail. Tyreis shares how a creative community helped her navigate a mind that can feel over-stimulated, and how she works toward contentment—a feeling of being fully at one with body and mind. We close with a reflective discussion on how valuing breath as a gift can bring a powerful perspective on life's fleeting nature and guide us toward mindfulness.
Tyreis Holder is a South London-based artist and poet. Her practice centers on explorations of self and the relationship with the mind, using textiles as a poetic language and healing device to generate conversations around social and intimate spaces.

What is the true currency of life? Artist, poet, and visual storyteller Tyreis Holder invites us into the "portals into her mind," sharing how her textile and poetry practice became a vital healing device after debilitating grief. We discuss the challenge of overthinking and the freedom found in simply giving yourself permission to 'just do' when words fail. Tyreis shares how a creative community helped her navigate a mind that can feel over-stimulated, and how she works toward contentment—a feeling of being fully at one with body and mind. We close with a reflective discussion on how valuing breath as a gift can bring a powerful perspective on life's fleeting nature and guide us inwards.

Tyreis Holder is a London-based artist and poet. Her practice centers on explorations of self and the relationship with the mind, using textiles as a poetic language and healing device to generate conversations around social and intimate spaces. https://www.tyreis.art/

Guest Curator: Xavier Leopold https://xavierleopoldstudio.com