Diya (2024)
Diya (2024)
Description
Diya, 2024
A portrait of light, strength and the woman who carries both.
In Diya, a solitary flame illuminates a woman seated beside a lion — two forms of strength expressed differently. One is quiet, composed and nurturing; the other instinctive, powerful and protective.
The diya sits at the centre of the work. Small in scale, yet commanding the entire composition, it becomes a symbol of the light we carry through darkness: faith, hope, guidance and the quiet determination to continue forward.
The lion does not dominate her. He sits beside her.
There is something deliberate in that relationship. The woman does not need to become fierce in order to possess strength; her power exists in her stillness, her grace and in the light she chooses to hold.
Created by Guneit Kaur Dhillon in 2024, the original Diya formed part of a significant chapter in Quartrait’s history. The work was presented at Coutts’ Diwali celebration in London, where Quartrait marked a landmark appearance for a Sikh/Indian artist within the institution. The original painting was acquired that evening for a considerable sum and now resides within a private collection.
The fine-art edition allows that story to continue.
Produced using archival giclée printing on museum-quality fine-art paper, each reproduction has been created to preserve the extraordinary warmth of the original: the incandescent oranges of the flame, the richness of the red and gold dress, the depth of the emerald backdrop and the softness of the lion’s coat.
This is not simply an image of Diwali.
It is a portrait of what the diya represents: light carried forward.
Quartrait — art made to become part of the family story.
Care
About Your Giclée & Artwork Care
Your Quartrait is a fine-art Giclée print, created using specialist high-resolution printing and archival-quality pigment inks to preserve the depth, detail and tonal character of the original artwork. Unlike a standard poster or commercial print, Giclée printing is designed for the reproduction and collection of fine art, allowing subtle brushwork, pencil marks, texture and colour variation within the original piece to be beautifully retained.
What to expect
Fine-art Giclée prints are made to feel and present as artworks rather than mass-produced prints. Depending on the edition and surface selected, you may notice the natural texture and character of the fine-art material beneath the image. These qualities are intentional and form part of the finished piece.
Handling your artwork
Where possible, avoid touching the printed surface directly. Handle your artwork with clean, completely dry hands, preferably by its edges, or with clean art-handling gloves. Do not fold, roll unnecessarily, wipe, rub or apply cleaning products to the printed surface.
Framing & display
For long-term presentation, we recommend having your piece professionally framed using good-quality, archival or acid-free materials. Where glazing is used, conservation or UV-protective glazing can provide additional protection. Avoid allowing the printed surface to sit directly against glass where possible.
Display your artwork away from prolonged direct sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, condensation and significant changes in humidity. Bathrooms, areas immediately above radiators, damp walls and other environments where moisture or heat may build up are not recommended.
A Note on Reverence
Many Quartrait works contain sacred imagery, Gurbani, religious symbolism and motifs connected to Sikhi and other deeply held traditions. Their significance extends beyond decoration.
We therefore respectfully ask collectors to consider both the physical care and the spiritual placement of these works.
Please display and handle sacred artworks with the utmost dignity and reverence, in the same spirit of respect you would observe toward sacred imagery within a place of worship. We recommend choosing a clean, considered and elevated position within the home or space, and avoiding placement directly on the floor, near footwear, in bathrooms, or in environments where the work may be treated casually or disrespectfully.
When storing an unframed sacred artwork, please keep it carefully protected, clean, dry and raised from the floor.
Your Quartrait has been created as a piece to live with, reflect upon and preserve. With thoughtful handling, framing and placement, it can remain part of your home and your family’s story for generations for 200+ years without the colour fading.