Seneca Polytechnic is commemorating Asian Heritage Month through a celebration of Asian arts that pushes for understanding and dialogue with Asian communities.
Art has been fundamental for shaping rich and distinct Asian cultures and societies, and Asian artists have used their talents to share beliefs, challenge the status quo, resist colonization and honour their unique cultural traditions. These ancient teachings continue to be practiced and made anew in Asian countries and diaspora communities around the world.
Recognizing the disappearance of Asian arts in Western arts institutions and their teachings, this month asks us to challenge our assumptions about Asian communities, visualize what pan-Asian representation should strive to include and imagine the role that Asian arts can play in community-building.
Date: Wednesday, May 8
Time: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Innovation Gallery, Building K, Newnham Campus
Join the Office of Reconciliation & Inclusion this Asian Heritage Month for a celebration of Asian arts at Seneca. Tour a special exhibit of Chinese inkwash paintings featuring the work of renowned inkwash painter Master Tam Shek-Wing, and watch a contemporary Kathak performance — an ancient Indian dance — with Tanveer Alam, Sindhu Nair and Sukriti Sharma.
All are welcome to attend, registration is not required.
Light refreshments will be served.
Email the Office for Reconciliation & Inclusion for access needs.
Master Tam Shek-Wing, born in 1935 in Guangzhou, is a third-generation successor of both the Ge Shan and Lingnan schools, earning him the revered title of "master" in the second generation. His acclaimed style, known as "Lingnan literati painting," seamlessly blends innovation with tradition, garnering recognition both domestically and internationally.
Immersed in Buddhist studies from a young age, he authored over 80 works on the subject, garnering attention from scholars worldwide. In addition to his dedication to Buddhism, Master Tam has also maintained his passion for painting and writing. Notably, he held personal art exhibitions at prestigious venues such as the Hawaii Art Museum and the historic Tianyi Pavilion, China’s oldest library, and the first and largest national seal society.
Photo credit: Fran Chudnoff
Toronto-based Tanveer Alam started his Kathak training with Sudeshna Maulik and continued further nuanced studies with guru Sandhya Desai.
A 2019 graduate of Dance Arts Institute of Canada (DAI), Alam has performed in the works of Rina Singha, Lata Pada, Padmini Chettur, Brandy Leary, Harikishan S. Nair, Sashar Zarif, Lucy Rupert and Peter Chin, to name a few. As an emerging choreographer, he has presented work at the SummerWorks Festival, the Battery Dance Festival +, MAI - Montréal, arts, interculturels, CanAsian Dance Festival: Grit Short Dances, and Tangente.
Alam has been supported by the Toronto Arts Council, The Ontario Arts Council, and The Canada Council for the Arts. Throughout 2022 and 2023, Alam premiered The Tagore Project (co-choreographed by Atri Nundy), at Tangente and Sampradaya Dance Creations, and presented Haazri, a new Kathak solo for The National Ballet of Canada’s Sharing The Stage program. His first full-length solo entitled Leher, was presented at Native Earth’s Aki Studio in June 2023. In 2024, Alam choreographed Moving for the second year students of DAI.
Date: Wednesday, May 8 to Wednesday, May 15
Time: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tour a special exhibit of Chinese inkwash paintings featuring the work of renowned inkwash painter Master Tam Shek-Wing.
Seneca Pan Asian Network (SPAN) is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where South and East Asian employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Through cultural awareness, professional development opportunities and advocacy, we strive to empower Asian employees to reach their full potential and contribute positively to the vibrant tapestry of Seneca Polytechnic.
Email edi@senecapolytechnic.ca to join SPAN (employees only)
Your session has expired. You are being logged out.