City of Nanaimo unveils temporary public art installation

Histogram Histories by artist Kiranjot Kaur transforms data into art

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed July 10, 2025 10:00 AM

Summary

The City of Nanaimo is proud to announce the unveiling of Histogram Histories, a striking new temporary public art installation by multi-disciplinary artist Kiranjot Kaur. Located in the lobby of Oliver Woods Community Centre, this innovative artwork turns data into art, transforming historical statistics about Nanaimo into an eye-catching hanging sculpture that encourages the public to see Nanaimo through a new lens.

Histogram Histories is composed of colourful ‘graphs’ that invite viewers to look through time with each line of fabric cylinders representing one of seven metrics tracing change in Nanaimo over time. Input from people in the community can be seen in the form of fabric strips displaying names and arrival years encircling the Arrival Patterns graph. The artwork reflects Kaur’s unique blend of artistry, engineering and lived experience. By visualizing data in a tangible, beautiful artistic form, the installation fosters reflection, dialogue and connection within the community. Histogram Histories is an invitation to explore how statistics can tell the story of place, not only through numbers but through colour, shape and form.

Kiranjot Kaur is a Surrey-based artist, author and engineer whose practice draws from her Panjabi and Canadian heritage, her Sikh faith and her upbringing in her family’s fabric store. As a mother and storyteller, her work celebrates the intersections of identity, tradition and innovation.

Histogram Histories will remain on display at Oliver Woods Community Centre until 2030. More information on the project can be found on the artist's website.

Link to Strategic Plan: The Temporary Public Art Program aligns with the goals of the City of Nanaimo’s City Plan by facilitating public art that is accessible and freely available to everyone throughout the community to experience and enjoy.

Key Points

The City of Nanaimo is proud to announce the unveiling of Histogram Histories, a striking new temporary public art installation by multi-disciplinary artist Kiranjot Kaur. The project will be on display through 2030.
Located in the lobby of Oliver Woods Community Centre, this innovative artwork turns data into art, transforming historical statistics about Nanaimo into an eye-catching hanging sculpture that encourages the public to see Nanaimo through a new lens.
Histogram Histories is composed of colourful ‘graphs’ that invite viewers to look through time with each line of fabric cylinders representing one of seven metrics tracing change in Nanaimo over time.
Kiranjot Kaur is a Surrey-based artist, author and engineer whose practice draws from her Panjabi and Canadian heritage, her Sikh faith and her upbringing in her family’s fabric store.

Quotes

"Public art like Histogram Histories helps us connect more deeply with our city’s story. It transforms complex information into something people of all ages can enjoy and learn from. We’re proud to support projects that spark conversation and bring beauty and wonder into everyday spaces."

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

"As scientists, we use data to measure facts about things like people, nature and events. As artists and as consumers of art, we approach interpretation of reality through emotional response and intuition, with subjectivity. In Histogram Histories, by presenting demographic, cultural and environmental data through art, I am hoping to engage the community to think more intuitively about the depicted trends and the kinds of information that is both included and excluded throughout the process of historical story-telling through data."

Kiranjot Kaur

Artist

Images

Histogram Histories by Kiranjot Kaur

2025 Temporary Public Art Project

Historgram Histories by Kiranjot Kaur

Artist Kiranjot Kaur with her art installation

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Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

Media.Requests@nanaimo.ca

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