Coventry College Commissions Punjabi Sikh Artist for Godiva Festival Art Installation Celebrating City’s Worldwide Welcome
Coventry College has enlisted the talents of Harkiran ‘Harky’ Kalsi, an illustrator and freehand typographer, to design an installation for the upcoming Godiva Festival. The commission aims to celebrate Coventry’s rich diversity and inclusive spirit while actively engaging festival goers.
Harky’s brief is to design five mural boards for the Family Field at the festival. Four of these boards will depict local landmarks and scenes from Coventry, around the themes of community, unity, and diversity. The fifth board will be as a collaborative doodle space, where Harky will sketch and paint a thought-provoking prompt live on Saturday and invite festival goers to get involved by adding their thoughts and doodles.
Describing herself as an ‘artivist’, Harky says, “Words are powerful. I’m inspired by street art, artists’ tags, doodling, and bubble type lettering. My style is a combination of all those elements.” She feels it is her duty as an artist to reflect the times and ensure overlooked people feel seen.
Coventry roots
Born in Coundon, Harky lived in Coventry until she was eight before moving to Leamington. Her mother, an art teacher before moving to the UK, played a significant role in nurturing her daughter’s passion for art. Unlike many traditional Punjabi Sikh families, Harky’s mum was exceptionally supportive of her artistic ambitions and determination to succeed as an illustrator.
After failing her A-levels, Harky pursued an art foundation course and later a degree in graphic design at Coventry University. Although she initially intended to study graphic design and illustration, she mistakenly used the wrong course code and struggled to change courses. In hindsight, she considers her grounding in graphic design a happy accident.
Coventry City Council gave Harky her first break in the industry. She worked there for four years on projects such as the bid for the Olympics and branding for the first Godiva Festival as part of the marketing and events team. She also designed the branding for St Mary’s Guildhall, which she fell in love with after a behind-the-scenes tour. Coventry Cathedral is also a special place to her as it is where she graduated, and the War Memorial Park, where she has run many times with friends and will host the Godiva Festival.
Inspiring the next generation
Harky’s advice to aspiring artists is,
“Never give up. Stay true to who you are. Find your authenticity and you will find who you want to work with.”
She explains that she received lots of portfolio advice that she ultimately disregarded to keep her work bright, colourful, and chaotic.
She also advises young artists to ignore the hype of social media, avoid comparing themselves to others, and take on passion projects.
An impressive career
At 39, Harky’s impressive career includes significant collaborations and impactful projects. She has worked with the West Ham Foundation, creating vibrant graffiti pieces with young people, and collaborated to create a heartfelt mural to thank NHS workers during the pandemic. Her high-profile client list includes Stormzy’s #Merky Books, New Balance, ITV, Channel 4, and EA Sports. Currently, she is writing and illustrating her first children’s picture book, aimed at inspiring young minds.
Godiva Festival and Coventry College
Coventry College is sponsoring the Family Field for the second year running and is planning a larger pitch with more varied activities. “We are thrilled to participate in the Godiva Festival again this year,” said Vice Principal Gemma Knott.
“This partnership allows us to spotlight our students’ exceptional skills and champion creativity, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the ‘Worldwide Welcome’ theme.”
In addition to Harky’s installation, visitors to the Family Field can also enjoy interactive activities such as festival treatments by Hair and Beauty students and performances by Performing Arts students. This collaboration not only offers students a platform to showcase their talents but also reflects Coventry College’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
The Godiva Festival will be held from July 5-7 at Coventry’s War Memorial Park, marking its 25th anniversary year. Discover more of Harky’s work.
