AGO visitors have been marvelling at the futuristic vision of artist Ranbir Sidhu and his museum-debut exhibition, No Limits, since it went on view in December 2025. Comprised of three monumental sculptures – Asteroid 3033 X1 (2025), Fortress of Memory (2025), and Odyssey (2025) – the exhibition blends Sikh history and iconography into a contemporary visual language. On Friday, January 16, the AGO will host an opening celebration for Ranbir Sidhu: No Limits, welcoming Hamilton-based instrumental music collective ShaaMaa for a performance in response to the exhibition.  

Featuring musicians Willy MacAulay (guitar), Cesar Cordoba (keys, synths, accordion), and Gurpreet Chana (tabla, percussion, electronics), ShaaMaa’s contrasting musical practices naturally bled into an original soundscape, prioritizing exploration and improvisational dialogue. The band has recently collaborated with Sidhu in various capacities. The background music for the short documentary on view in the exhibition, also titled Ranbir Sidhu: No Limits, features ShaaMaa’s 2025 song “Morning Haze.” Additionally, Chana worked closely with Sidhu to design and develop the audio component of Asteroid 3033 X1.      

Ahead of their performance, members of ShaaMaa spoke to Foyer about the connections between their music and the works on view in No Limits.    

Foyer: When considering the works on view in No Limits, what musical ideas come to mind for you?  

Cesar Cordoba: Our synthesizers and electronic elements aim to evoke the futuristic imagination these sculptures inspire—the connection to future civilizations and distant planets. The asteroid, with its refined and perfect shape, feels like an artifact from another world. Synthesizers translate that sharpness: the reflection of the material, the brightness, and the geometry. It all feels decidedly futuristic, yet it remains rooted in a primitive nature that feels familiar. It is the poetry of nature, which is inherently geometric. It may appear as chaos, but it is actually deeply organized.

Installation view, Ranbir Sidhu No Limits, December 11, 2025 – January 3, 2027. Art Gallery of Ontario. Works shown Asteroid 3033 X1, 2025.  © Ranbir Sidhu. Photo AGO.

Is there a particular work from the exhibition that resonates with you the most? Can you describe why?  

Gurpreet Chana: In addition to our opening night performance, I’ve been fortunate to work closely with Ranbir on the sound design for the Asteroid piece.  Furthermore, our team at SURmUN helped design and install the sound amplification system, which allows those frequencies to resonate through the structure, essentially giving voice to the material itself.

That process allowed us to share our respective creative methods; I learned so much from Ranbir directly through systems, processes, and stories leading to the themes of No Limits. Those stories didn't just guide the sound design—they filtered into the music we’ll be performing for the opening. 

Working with the inner foundation of the sculpture led to a deep appreciation of the final installation—not just the artistic form, but the design & engineering decisions that resulted in the incredible geometric presence we see and hear.

Installation view, Ranbir Sidhu No Limits, December 11, 2025 – January 3, 2027. Art Gallery of Ontario. Ranbir Sidhu. Works shown Fortress of Memory, 2025. © Ranbir Sidhu. Photo AGO. 

The short film on view in the exhibition features ShaaMaa music. Can you tell us how this collaboration came about and briefly describe the creative process?   

Gurpreet Chana: The No Limits film playing in the exhibition is underscored by the ShaaMaa track 'Morning Haze' from our 2025 album, ShaaMaa Live at Grand River Arts Festival.  Ranbir was gracious enough to reach out and ask to incorporate the track, mentioning that it resonated with both him and the film's wonderful producer, Jujaar, as they told the story of this exhibition.

On the first day of our rehearsals for the opening night, we watched a rough draft of the film. It gave us incredible insight into how Ranbir 'heard' the music within his own storytelling, allowing us to see our music through his eyes.

That moment of connection, collaboration, and inspiration of our collective practices became a pivotal seed for us—one we continue to water and nurture as we prepare for the opening and hope to share and experience together with the exhibit and audiences.

Don’t miss the opening celebration for Ranbir Sidhu: No Limits, happening on Friday, January 16 from 6 pm to 9 pm in Walker Court on Level 1 of the AGO. This event is free with the price of admission. 

Contributing Sponsor

Soberman Goldstein & Associates Ltd. - tier 2

Generous Support

The Koolum Foundation

Contemporary programming at the AGO is supported by

Canada Council - tier 3a