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Art, Resilience, and the Legacy of 1984: California Edition

A project of ICAAD
icaad shape logo.png Jaspreet Singh
Chappaqua, New York, US
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This November marks the 42nd anniversary of the 1984 genocide of Sikhs in the capital city of New Delhi, and many cities across India. Tens of thousands lost their lives on the streets and in their homes and businesses, and millions carry the pain of this tragedy in their hearts around the globe, from India and the United States, to Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and beyond.


ICAAD, an international human rights center, and Vishavjit Singh created the 1984 Art Exhibit in New York City in 2024, commemorating the 40th anniversary. Now joining forces with artists Harsimran Sandhu and Simi Kattaura, in partnership with Sikhlens Arts and Film Festival, we are bringing the next edition of this multimedia art exhibit to the Cerritos College Art Gallery in Norwalk, California, from November 1 to December 11, 2026.


This exhibition seeks to uplift voices that have been historically silenced, celebrate collective strength, and create space for dialogue, healing, and imagination. Art ranging from paintings, illustrations, sculptures, rare photographs, film, and poetry will highlight community power, intergenerational experience, movement-building, flourishing despite trauma, and liberation.


This is the second edition of the exhibit we created in New York City in 2024 for the 40th anniversary. Over ten days in Manhattan, about 500 people came through the gallery, a quarter of them from outside the Sikh community. The NYC Public Advocate issued citations to participating artists, students visited from multiple universities, and the exhibit now lives online as a virtual exhibit.

The California Edition brings together work from New York, pieces from local collectors that haven't been shown publicly before, and new work from California artists who answered our open call. It will feature:

  • Survivor portraits from Amnesty International
  • Rare color photographs by Sajid Raza Khan, taken during the November 1984 pogroms
  • Paintings by notable artists like the Singh Twins and Sarabjit Singh
  • Sculpture and mixed media from Ravjot Mehak, Jaspreet K. Singh, and Vishavjit Singh
  • Animated film from Vishavjit Singh, documentary film and poetry from Harbani Kaur Ahuja and Jaspreet K. Singh, and a short film from Harsimran Sandhu
  • An audio installation by Dalveer Hargobind Kaur sharing survivor testimony in Punjabi
  • New work from California artists

The exhibit will also feature speakers and artist talks, along with a student engagement session with Cerritos College classes the day after the opening.

We cannot make this exhibit happen without your support. Thanks to our partnership with Sikhlens, the gallery space, printing, and the opening reception are covered. Your donation today will cover:

  • Honorariums for artists, speakers, and performers
  • Travel for artists and speakers
  • Shipping and crating artwork from New York and from artists
  • Advertising and outreach
  • A professional photographer to document the exhibit
  • A virtual exhibit, so the work stays online after the gallery closes on December 11

This exhibit is being hosted in Southern California, home to many Sikhs who survived the 1984 genocide, including Vishavjit's family, along with many fellow citizens from around the globe who have escaped persecution and intolerance in search of safer homes.

It's also part of a longer plan. The exhibit will travel to a different city every two years leading up to the 50th anniversary in 2034, and anything raised beyond what this edition needs carries forward to the next one in 2028.

We invite you to support us in manifesting this exhibit of remembrance and resilience, offering thousands the opportunity to experience and reflect on the significance of this history in person.

"I was moved by the exhibit. I could feel the pain of the survivors. I could hear the unbearable loss in their testimonies. I felt closer to my community by being in this space." Gurjinder Singh, visitor to the 2024 New York exhibit

Event details
Cerritos College Art Gallery, Fine Arts Building 11110 Alondra Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650

Exhibit November 1 to December 11, 2026. Free and open to the public.

Opening Reception: Sunday, November 1, 2026, 5:00 to 8:00 PM
Speakers include Vishavjit Singh and ICAAD Co-Founder Jaspreet K. Singh

Gallery Hours:
Monday to Thursday, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday and Saturday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

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Pledge $25.00

Your contribution helps make this project happen.

Pledge $50.00

Your contribution supports the artists creating and sharing work in this exhibit. You'll receive a digital thank you card featuring artwork from the exhibit.

Pledge $100.00

With your support, we can ensure that the stories of the 1984 genocide reach more people. As a token of appreciation, you'll receive a digital print of one of the featured artworks.

Pledge $250.00

Your generosity allows us to bring this exhibit to Southern California. You'll receive a set of digital prints from the exhibit.

Pledge $500.00

Your significant donation plays a crucial role in amplifying the voices of survivors and raising awareness about this dark chapter in history. You'll receive a set of digital prints from the exhibit, along with a thank you mention on our website and social media.

Pledge $1,000.00

Your contribution is instrumental in helping us create a lasting impact. You'll receive a curated set of art prints and a personal thank you note from the organizers.

Pledge $2,500.00

Your extraordinary support ensures that this exhibit reaches and resonates with a wide audience. You'll get early access to a walkthrough video of the exhibit before the virtual exhibit launches to the public, along with all previous rewards.

Pledge $5,000.00

As one of our most generous supporters, your contribution helps shape the narrative for future generations. You'll be invited to a private, guided tour of the exhibit with an organizer, in person, or virtually if you can't make the trip, along with all previous rewards. You'll also be honored as a patron of the exhibit, with your name or logo displayed in the exhibit space, on marketing materials, and on the virtual exhibit website, along with all previous rewards.

Pledge $10,000.00

As a lead patron, you're helping preserve the memory of 1984 for the next generation. You'll receive a limited edition print signed by Vishavjit Singh and a custom-engraved plaque acknowledging your contribution, which can be displayed in your home, office, or business, along with prominent recognition at the exhibit and all previous rewards.