RECLAIMING MY IDENTITY AS A QUEEN

“I seek to unravel the threads of tradition woven into the fabric of Punjab's creative landscape, honoring the spirit of my ancestors while forging meaningful connections.”

Reclaiming
my soul’s parts

As an artist on a journey of self-discovery and cultural reclamation, I, Rani Cheema, find myself at a pivotal moment where my soul and Punjabi heritage converge. My path has led me through diverse landscapes – from the corridors of design academia to the sacred spaces of spiritual awakening, channeled art.

Trained initially in disciplines dictated by practicality, I navigated the worlds of Interior and Graphic Design, suppressing the wild, untamed spirit of creativity that yearned to break free. Having learned only about white men and classical art, I never saw myself in the space but didn't even realize it. I just assumed I wasn't good enough because what I was creating didn't look like these 17th-century artists. Yet, beneath the veneer of societal expectations, the call of my ancestral roots persisted, whispering tales of forgotten connections waiting to be rekindled.

This residency, "Nature x Craft x Design," beckons me to the verdant fields of Punjab, a land both familiar and foreign. It offers more than just an opportunity to hone craft skills or engage in artistic discourse; it serves as a portal to my past, a chance to unearth fragments of identity buried beneath layers of cultural dissonance.

For too long, my Punjabi heritage remained a distant echo, overshadowed by the clamor of modernity, the pressures of assimilation, and the Puerto Rican side of my family. But now, as I stand on the threshold of this transformative experience, I am reminded of the resilience of my ancestors, the artisans and craftsmen whose legacies pulse through the very soil of Punjab.

Through immersive workshops, cultural exchanges, and encounters with local artisans, I seek to unravel the threads of tradition woven into the fabric of Punjab's creative landscape. In doing so, I hope to not only reclaim lost aspects of my own identity but also to forge meaningful connections with fellow artists and practitioners who share in this journey of rediscovery.

This residency represents more than just a convergence of craft and design; it is a pilgrimage of the soul, a homecoming to the essence of who I am – Rani Cheema, the Queen Warrior. With each brushstroke, each stitch, I honor the spirit of my ancestors, weaving a tapestry of cultural revival and personal empowerment.

SIDE NOTE,
ART SCHOOL SUCKED
I now know why

I attended the School of Visual Arts in New York, a place I had always dreamed of. But what started as a passion quickly turned into a challenging experience. I went from being the top artist in school growing up to suddenly feeling lost and less than. Surrounded by talented peers and professors at the height of their careers—studio owners, designers featured at MoMA, and industry leaders—I felt enormous pressure to measure up.

Though my professors encouraged my unique voice, calling me a "chameleon" for my ability to adapt styles, I struggled to embrace my own. I thought I needed to follow a path that didn’t align with my truth. The comparisons held me back, and the weight of trying to fit into a mold stifled my creativity.

I even failed Art History 101, which made me feel like I didn’t belong. It wasn’t until years later, during a masterclass in channeled art, that I discovered why. I had been learning only about classical white male artists, while my spirit resonated with abstract and channeled art. It was through this journey that I reclaimed my identity as an abstract artist, realizing that the reason I was a "chameleon" was that I was channeling something far deeper, something that wasn’t meant to conform.

The artwork I produce is imbued with both depth and intention, serving as intuitive expressions channeled through the medium of painting. Guided by inner wisdom and influenced by cosmic forces, tapping into the universal consciousness that flows through us all.

These channeled works are not merely products of my own hand but manifestations of guidance from ethereal sources, reminding us of our shared origins as multidimensional beings emerging from the cosmic void. In this collaborative process, I serve as a vessel, channeling energies.

My art becomes a conduit for collective healing, inviting individuals to explore their inner landscapes and reconnect with the universal truths that bind us together.