Jessie Sohpaul's art practice delves into the complexities of identity and belonging, exploring what it means to be an 'Other' in the West. Deeply influenced by his experience as a first-generation Punjabi immigrant raised in Canada, Sohpaul's background in design informs his process, fostering a pragmatic approach that emphasizes an understanding of the built environment, contexts and histories. His practice centers on themes of casteism, classism, migration, and identity, exploring these narratives through a thoughtful and context-driven lens.
Working with both traditional and digital media, Sohpaul strives to capture the energy and strength that shaped his upbringing while honoring his Punjabi heritage.
Contact: info@jessiesohpaul.com
Studio: info@donottouch.com
Shows
2024 Dalit Dreamlands, AAWAA, Oakland, CA
2024 Path of the Warrior Saints, Peel Art Gallery Museum, Toronto, ON
2023 The Past is Calling, Burrard Arts Foundation, Vancouver, BC
2023 *Otherland, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, BC
2020 Monsoon Arts Festival (Virtual), Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts, Vancouver, BC
2019 Bridges, Beaumont Studios, Vancouver, BC
2018 Product of Culture, Various Locations, Los Angeles, CA and New York City, NY
2018 5X Group Show, The Space, Vancouver, BC
2016 100 Pieces, Buzzell Studio, Los Angeles, CA
Experience
2024 Creative Director, ‘Overcaste’ Exhibit at Burnaby Village Museum, Burnaby, BC
2024 Creative Director, The Punjabi Market Collective, Vancouver, BC
2022 Creative Director, DO NOT TOUCH Studio, Vancouver, BC
2021 Judge, Young Glory Creative Competition, Global
2020 Experience Designer, Google, San Francisco, CA
2018 Experience Designer, R/GA, San Francisco, CA
2015 Design Mentor, School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Seattle, WA
Professional Development
2023 Artist Residency, Burrard Arts Foundation, Vancouver, BC
2023 Artist Talk, Aritzia, Vancouver, BC
2022 Artist Talk, Contemporary Art Society, Vancouver, BC
2022 Mentorship program (mentee) with Aaron De La Cruz, San Francisco, CA
2022 Artist Residency and Grant, 5X Vancouver, BC
2019 Screen printing workshop, Root Division, San Francisco, CA
Notable Projects
2024 Vaisakhi Collab, Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver, BC
2024 ‘INDUStry‘ Mural, 2413 Hyperion, Los Angeles, CA
2024 PKWY Artwork, BOSA, Surrey, BC
2024 Scott Rd RapidBus public art, Translink, Vancouver, BC
2023 Diwali Collab, Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver, BC
2023 Punjabi Market Street Banners, Vancouver, BC
2023 ‘Dancing under the sun’, LunarFest, Vancouver, BC
2022 ‘Kohinoor, where are you?‘ Mural, Vancouver, BC
2021 Staple Official Collab, Staple, New York City, NY
2021 Stage Creative Direction, 5X Fest, Vancouver, BC
2019 Creative Direction, Popshift Sessions Music Festival, New York City, NY
Publications
2024 The Bold Type, Harper's Bazaar India, India
2024 This is a city for them, Sportsnet, Canada
2024 Canada-based artist Jessie Sohpaul’s art is inspired by Gurmukhi, The Hindu, India
2023 Artist's Koh-i-Noor diamond mural sparks conversation following royal announcement, CBC, Canada
2022 Here's how vernacular fonts are changing typeface design, The Established, Global
2022 Life in the Abstract - Creating an Identity, Grazia India Magazine July 2022, India
2022 Jessie Sohpaul's Art Is Where South Asian Identities Meets Future Nostalgia, Homegrown, India
2022 Exceptional Alien: Stories, Exceptional Alien, Global
2022 Spotlight, Juice Droplet Magazine, London, UK
2021 Artist Jessie Sohpaul on creating art that reflects his Punjabi experience, 5Xpress, Vancouver, BC
Awards
2024 Community Recognition Award, Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, Vancouver, BC
2023 Punjabi Market Revitalization, City of Vancouver Heritage Awards, Vancouver, BC
2017 Cannes Lions Silver, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Cannes, France
Education
2015 Bachelors in Design and Media Arts with Honours, School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC
2015 Dutch Design field school, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC and North Europe