Dan Auluk
Dan Auluk (British-South Asian-Indian, b. 1970)
Growing up in the 1970/80’s in a Punjabi culture and household, I was encouraged to study for qualifications that were likely to earn me a wage. So reluctantly I felt pressured and studied sciences and then a Mathematics/Computing degree followed by an IT career for many years, before deciding to leave a well-paid job to study art, to finally enjoy life a little more and develop and invest in an independent sense of who I was at 34.
I consider myself as an artist-curator, which means sometimes I make work in response to how I am feeling, my childhood, adolescent and queer lived experiences; and other times I make creative live projects that explore communication and collaboration with other creative folk. Often anything creative starts from conversations; with my mother about my childhood but also in general with loved ones, strangers and my life partner.
My art practice is rooted in conceptual and experimental approaches to drawing, live art performance, digital drawing, text, photography and video; with a deep focus on research, around self-compassion - how self-kindness, shared human experience, and mindfulness play a role in our emotional health and wellbeing. Creativity has always been a way for me to take care of myself by connecting to self, others, my lived experiences of trauma and anxiety; and a way to be kinder to myself, to unpack and process. Currently, I am exploring Queer Joy and unpacking grief through experimental digital drawings, paintings and photography.
I have 25 years of experience of working with and for LGBTQ+ people and communities around emotional health and wellbeing support, from 121 mentoring and wellbeing work, group facilitation, training and workshops to reduce isolation and loneliness; in the charity sector, NHS and Universities.
Selected Exhibitions, Projects & Residencies
2025
25 years (confetti), Summer Camp, Eastside Projects, Birmingham, UK.
1989 (video), Coventry Open, The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, UK.
Frames of Discovery: An Evening of Art and Science, group show at Centrala, Birmingham, UK.
2024
Co-facilitated a 1 day workshop titled ‘depression and brain networks - a cognitive approach.’ as part of the SMQB residency with Dr Maria Dauvermann from University of Birmingham.
Lead Facilitator for a 1 day workshop titled ‘creativity as self-care - drawing approaches.’ for SMQB residency.
SMBQ artist in residence for 2024 (July 2024 - Jan 2025) – University of Birmingham.
C0-faciliating a 1-day workshop on creative writing with The Open Minds Project, Bishopgates Institute, London.
Engager/Moderator for Flourish, a new platform for GBTQ+ men.
2023
My Punjabi Mother, Her Dog and Me (A stage play, scratch tested at The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham).
Winter Art Fair, STRYX Gallery Space, Birmingham.
The Quest Programme - Assistant, London.
Supersonic Festival Volunteer, Birmingham.
The Wandering (Short Film in pre-production).
SHUCK (Feature Film in production) with The Film Liberation Project.
Artist Talk for Homegrown, launch event at the new Jewellery Quarter site at STRYX, Birmingham.
2022
Open Screen Night, Castlefield Gallery Associates, Manchester.
Winter Art Fair, STRX Gallery Space, Birmingham.
BFI Network Directors Series (online).
Arts Evaluation for Foleshill on film project for Foleshill Community Centre, Coventry.
Sleep (2022) - Summer Show Reel - Eastside Projects, Birmingham.
South Asian Arts Collective Group Show, Asylum Gallery, Wolverhampton (Group Show, screening of Sleep (2022).
South Asian Heritage Month 2022, (online film talk with artist Asuf Ishaq discussing artist moving image).
South Asian Heritage Month 2022, SOAS University of London, (screening of Extremely Valuable Person and Mother by Asuf Ishaq).
2021
The Film Liberation Project showcase, Tin Arts, Coventry. (Screening of artist films, Sleep (2020).
Ikon for Artists, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham (Group Show – screening of Extremely Valuable Person (2020).
2020
Looking at you and not looking down (Animated GIFs) 'falls the shadow' Router, The Wrong Biennale
Extremely Valuable Person, micro bursary for a new documentary from New Art West Midlands.
more at https://danauluk.com/indexcv
Helping Artists Keep Going
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