Sahara Patel- BA (Hons) Fine Art
'Lasting Only A Day'
Sahara Patel explores materiality through rigorous experimentation with glass, ceramics, water, sand, PVA, metal, and light, often working with biomorphic ephemeral forms. Through learning traditional techniques, she subverts the functionality of materials, converting objects into ‘things’. By investigating material composition, she draws attention to materials that are commonly overlooked.
Glass on one hand is whilst sand is
fragile silica
delicate political
precious contested
and a nuisance to some
She highlights the natural processes behind the making of glass, and the long timescales involved in its formation. In doing so, Patel encourages a greater sense of care and respect for these materials at every stage of their existence, whilst reminding individuals of extractive capitalism and consumer culture, consequently increasing environmental degradation, pollution and exploitation.
Patel invites you to witness the elemental transformation and cycles of
water, sand and glass
Solid Permanent
Amorphous
Liquid Impermanent
In play with
Heat, cool
Push, pull
Fascinated by working with materials that feel ‘alive’, she explores the dynamic relationship and collaborative exchange of agency between material and artist, where both play an active role in shaping the work. Her focus on how materials behave comes from a desire to draw attention to fleeting moments that are often missed and gifts the viewer with a sense of the conditions they emerge from. Onomatopoeic language and sound give insight into the making process, revealing the physical actions and rhythms involved. Her creation of an environment draws on her interest of metaphysics – connecting the nature of time, space and causality.
