Saroj Patel: Ocean Mother

Exploring the untold stories and rich experiences of South Asian mothers, delving into how these women navigate identity through the lens of motherhood.

Saroj Patel is a Preston-born artist who creates intricately detailed, tactile sculptures that invite playful audience interaction. She works with a diverse range of materials, drawing
from Indian and Hindu traditions, alongside found objects such as bicycle wheels and high chairs to build structure. Born and raised in Preston, Saroj has traveled to India with her family since the age of three and continues to be captivated by its sensory richness – vivid colours, textures, tastes, and sounds.

Her sculptures celebrate Indian culture, and also serve as a means of exploring her relationship with her upbringing. Through her work, she seeks to create an empowered space that embraces all aspects of her identity, bridging seemingly conflicting perspectives. She challenges rigid notions of ethnic identity through an open-minded exploration of her own experiences. Seeing her practice as inherently spiritual, she strives to foster connections between people, place, and culture.

Saroj has fond memories of visiting The Harris as a child – exploring the library, wandering through the art galleries, and being captivated by the paintings on the stairwells. One piece that left a lasting impression was The Golden Gates by William Shackleton, a painting featuring a magical underwater scene where vivid blues and greens spark her imagination. Now, she is deeply honoured to return to her hometown to present Ocean Mother, a profoundly personal and important exhibition.

Ocean Mother explores the untold stories and rich experiences of South Asian mothers, delving into how these women navigate identity through the lens of motherhood. Many of the mothers interviewed were either born in or currently live in Preston, making this exhibition a heartfelt tribute to the community. Through sculpture, texture, and form, Saroj weaves together narratives of strength, love, and heritage, inviting audiences to connect with these deeply personal journeys.

Through intimate conversations with British South Asian mothers, Saroj Patel asked how histories, traditions, and culture shape their identities and discovered the active role they play in embracing and teaching their cultural heritage to their children. These extraordinary mothers break boundaries and craft new narratives for South Asian women.

This exhibition also delves into Saroj’s personal connection with her mother, Sushila, who was born and raised in Gujarat, India. Aged 19, Sushila embarked on a transformative journey, migrating to the UK and becoming a mother to three children by the time she turned 22. Saroj’s mother faced struggle, loneliness, and conflict. Yet, her stories are woven together with threads of resilience and courage. Like many women of her era, her experiences inspire the next generation to forge new opportunities and create more inclusive futures for themselves and their children.

Ocean Mother celebrates heritage and the enduring power of maternal stories. These stories resonate across generations, weaving into the fabric of our shared human experience.