Bethany Cherry’s Instagram inbox has been overflowing with messages of appreciation from the Indian community after she painted a mural of Sikh human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra on Melbourne’s Hosier Lane.
The mural coincided with the 30th anniversary of Khalra's disappearance.
Bethany painting mural of Mr Khalra on Hosier Lane. Credit: Supplied by Harkirat Singh
Bethany’s mural depicts Khalra standing amidst a group of people, which she says was the “key symbolism” behind the artwork.
"He did not stand by himself. He stood with people, and he stood on behalf of people. He really did stand up for the voiceless," she says in an interview with SBS Punjabi.
The mural of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra Credit: Supplied by MR Harkirat Singh
The 25-year-old Melbourne-born artist says she did not know much about Khalra when she was commissioned to paint this mural.
During her research, she read about Khalra and listened to his speeches.
The project has not only brought me closer to Khalra’s story but also to the wider community.Bethany Cherry, artist
"I've been receiving a lot of messages, globally, not just from Melbourne or Australia, saying, 'this means so much to us', 'to our community as a minority group', to have this voiced on an international stage," she says.
Some members of Sikh community in Australia are taking their kids to the mural and using it as a learning experience.
She says the community has shown their appreciation in many ways. She has received messages calling her a sister, a loving mother.
"People are sending me pictures of their children standing next to the mural."
The takeaway of all these messages and terms of affection is essentially saying, you are family or you are a part of this community.Bethany Cherry, artist
Not just words of appreciation, but she has also been introduced to Punjabi food, and she says that she has been "well fed" lately.
"I feel much closer to the community having done this project," says Bethany.
To listen to her and reactions from the Indian community on the mural, listen to this podcast:
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