Jatinder Singh Durhailay’s (b. 1988, London) artistic practice includes both drawing and painting in which he uses naturally derived pigments. Blending myths and contemporary culture, Durhailay’s portrayal of the Sikh community and culture are humorous, heroic and deeply poignant. Re-imagining the rich history of Indian Mughal miniature painting, he paints intricate portraits against detailed backgrounds, moving fluidly between traditional imagery and an ever-changing complex present.
What drew Jatinder Singh Durhailay to Mughal miniatures and inspired him to teach himself to work and reinvent this longstanding tradition were visits to the Victoria and Albert Museum as a child. Here he saw the representation of Sikh Indian culture reflected in real,. recognisable faces.
Jatinder Singh Durhailay received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Arts, London in 2011. His work has been exhibited at The Anant Art Gallery, Delhi (2024) The Artist Room, London (2023 and 2022), Loww Gallery, Tokyo (2023), as well as the National Army Museum and the Brunei Gallery, London, amongst others. His works are in both public and private collections, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Art and Photography, Bangalore, and Davinder Toor, a leading figure among a new generation of Indian & Islamic art collectors.
Durhailay is trained in Indian Classical Music, performing and practicing Kirtan as well as playing rare instruments including the Dilruba and Taus. He is part of the musical duo Petit Oiseau and has performed at Victoria & Albert Museum, London (2022 &2019), Leighton House, London (2022), MK Gallery, Milton Keynes (2018), Atelier Fluss, Tokyo (2018), and at the National Gallery, London (2017).