Absolutely thrilled that ROM curator, Deepali Dewan approached me to acquire both First Wave and a set of three Illuminated for the ROM’s permanent collection. These works will be on display as part of the ROM’s upcoming internationally touring exhibition on the Indian Ocean - details to be announced in 2026.

First Wave, 2021

I was moved to create a ceramic ship when in May 2020, the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago released the images of the manifest of the Fattel Rozack, the first ship to carry Indians from Calcutta to Trinidad as indentured labourers in 1845. The sails are porcelain cast in firebrick and the boat is stoneware, with images of period coins from India and the British West Indies.

Artist / Curator discussion with Nalini Mohabir, of Concordia University on January 21st, at noon, EST. Free Register here. Remembering Indo-Caribbean Legacies through Art | Royal Ontario Museum (rom.on.ca)

Illuminated, To view the article/interview between Heidi and Deepali click here.