Summer is already in full bloom at Solaro, Century Group’s new rental development in Langley’s Murrayville community. Local artist Sandeep Johal has recently completed a mural in the shared fitness space, complete with cheerful flowers and animals, with murals in the parkade and other shared spaces planned for later this summer. Her colourful work already adorns a wall in the staffroom at the Civic Hotel in Surrey City Centre,  this one a kaleidoscope of forms that include bears and a dogwood tree, all thematic of the Hotel’s focus on B.C.

Raised in Kelowna, Johal is the daughter of immigrants from India. Her art draws heavily on traditional motifs from Indian folklore and textiles, favouring geometric shapes and line drawings, as well as highly stylized plants and animals. While creating joy is her biggest priority, the universal appeal of these shapes and colours, expressing familiar local themes in her unique style, makes them a perfect vehicle for bridging cultural differences.

These days, art has gained another valuable role, given the upheaval and stress caused by a long, hard winter of social distancing. Johal believes strongly that sharing the experience of art is especially helpful as people begin to emerge from the pandemic and reconnect with one another in public spaces.

“Art is a universal experience that has the capacity to help us transcend our differences and form connections with one another.” — Sandeep Johal, artist

For more information about Solaro, please visit BarbicanPm.ca