GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — ArtPrize is nearing its final weekend. The winners will soon be announced. For many artists competing, they’ve waited all year for this.
But one Grandville man has been waiting his whole life for this moment.
“It was really hard to leave my home country in India," said Harminder Boparai.
Harminder grew up in a small farming village, though he said he was no cream of the crop.
“I was not good in studying, in school, I’m not good in sports. I’m not good in any activities. So, I feel like scrap, right? Nobody wants to take it, nobody wants to use it," he said.
Harminder worked all day in the fields, then worked all night on his real passion — art. He figured it was never something he could turn into a career.
But just like the scrap metal in his pieces, Harminder knows how to find purpose.
“If you have no hard time, you cannot feel the beauty of your life," he smiled.
Harminder visited his sister, who lived in West Michigan. It just so happened his trip was during ArtPrize. He was instantly enamored.
“I was dreaming, 'When I will go to America, I will be participating.'”
He took the leap, moving to America nine years ago. Harminder now celebrates three years as a full-time artist, with a three-month-long waiting list for his sculptures.
And his happiest memories: the five years he's entered in ArtPrize. Last year, he was a finalist and took home the Asian Art Award.
This year, though, his entry has him proud as a peacock.
“These are peacocks I made from metal scraps," he said, pointing to his 2024 entry. “It’s the national bird of India."
He's found his muse in the reused. Stationed outside DeVos Place, the peacock sculptures are made from metal gas canisters and wrought-iron wine and candle holders. All of it was secondhand.
“It took long time to make. Been planning for last four years. But this year, finally, I did it," said Harminder. “All the pieces are my favorite but this is like… most favorite."
“Everyone who look at them will feel happy," he said, looking at his creation. "I am very happy.”
It's been nearly a decade since Harminder moved to America and he still struggles with English.
But he’s proficient in a language everyone can understand — beauty.
“I’m not in any race, I don’t want to win anything, but I want to win the heart," smiled Harminder.