Weaving together a story of migration, belonging and community, artist Saroj Patel leads us from a small village in India to a new life in the UK through her solo exhibition, Journey of the Blue Sun.

Swathes of colour, light and sound consume the two gallery spaces in Oxford’s Old Fire Station, as Patel presents a series of brand-new installations and sculptures inspired by her mixed cultural heritage. Representing the experiences and stories of intercultural communities across the UK, Journey of the Blue Sun is a celebration of new beginnings and significant histories.

Saroj Patel comments: “I have always been fascinated by my parents’ stories about their initial move to the UK, the experiences they had and how different life was compared to India. Like many Indians who migrated to the UK, they faced numerous challenges and difficulties. However, being a second-generation immigrant has positively impacted my life in many ways. It has given me far more choices and opportunities than I would have had if I had been born in the villages in Gujarat.”

Incorporating her signature textile artworks with brand-new forays into sound and video, Patel invites her audiences into an immersive, sensory experience. The exhibition also includes new artworks co-created with a group of women from Sunrise Multicultural Project, Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Curator, Mark Devereux added: “Journey of the Blue Sun shares an important personal story that is pertinent to so many people and communities living in the UK now. The new work Saroj has produced for this exhibition signals an exciting future for this ambitious and talented artist.”

Following recent exhibitions and commissions with Wakehurst Kew Gardens, (Sussex), The Art House (Wakefield) and Orleans House Gallery (London), Journey of the Blue Sun represents the next significant point in Patel’s flourishing career.

Free