Ketna Patel is a highly prolific British-Indian multimedia artist. Born in East Africa, educated in UK, and based in South East Asia + India for the last twenty-five years, she uses her training in Design and Architecture to map observations gleaned from her compulsive travels onto an existentialist, yet to be defined new global anthropology that is fast emerging.
Having recently transplanted her studio from Singapore to two 'travelling studios' in the UK and India, she describes herself as being deeply tri-cultural; grounded in an evolving human identity beyond the rapidly evaporating boundaries of culture, nationality, and geography. She believes that for most artists, there is no divide between their ‘private’ life and their ‘professional’ output. All realizations and insights gleaned from inter-personal relationships, travels, media etc can be transmuted into a heightened awareness / expression of where human society is at today, and possibly where it may be heading towards....
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
For me, feeling at home is a state of mind. The ‘no mind’ state is easy to summon when the mobile phone and ‘to do’ lists are far away. Often, travelling is the most relaxing, as it opens me up to the newness of what I am experiencing, and there is no room for other interruptions to hack into the relaxed head space!
2) What are your proudest achievements?
My proudest achievement is that I have somehow managed to always tune into my inner voice, and not be afraid of being considered unconventional. That inner guidance has continuously taken me beyond my comfort zone and into the unknown. Looking back, I’d say that those are absolute pre-requisites for creativity and confidence.
3) What inspires you?
Small, random acts of creativity or kindness which come about as an act of love to the self or the community at large without the need to fit in, impress anyone or fulfil expectations. It could be as ordinary as taking the time out to paint a birthday card or wear a flower in one’s hair.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Societal conditioning, and the compromising that comes from wanting to keep everyone happy. The older I get, the more I realize how important and healthy ‘detachment’ is. If we can see our lives as theatre, and ourselves as actors in that theatre, then the sheer witnessing of reality prevents us from becoming overwhelmed and embroiled in the minutiae of life.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My parents and my paternal grandmother. They all grew up in very adverse circumstances, but their inner determination, resilience, values and down to earthiness were huge motivations for me. They allowed me to fail, whilst assuring me of their emotional safety net always. That sort of security is priceless!
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Multi-cultural Life experience, independence, and the self confidence that comes with forging my own path. Our stories shape us and the way we think, so the less conditioned we are, the more original our perception of reality.
7) And the worst?
We live in a privileged world of unprecedented access to information, so whilst I am so grateful for this amazing living library, I sometimes struggle with feeling overwhelmed. The rich, complex tapestry of geographies, time zones, cultures and people I seem to have woven myself into make the art of ‘simplicity’ itself challenging.
8) What are your long-term goals?
In whatever little way I can, my wish is to unite people of the world. There is more that unites us than divides us, so through Art and culture, I’d like to encourage the cross pollination of cultural curiosity and creativity.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I’d look at the long-term prospects of this country, far beyond my elected term. This would mean stepping out of my elite bubble and travelling up and down this country, really listening hard to the people. Only after I have a good understanding of the bigger picture,
including our place in the world, would I then work backwards and make it happen.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
I’d like to spend time with ‘Osho’, the most radical thinker of the 20th century. His acute, dead pan overview of the truth of where the human species is at, and his unique delivery with no frills or embroidery, and loads of mischief and un-woke humour would be such a treat that I’d forget I was stranded on an island!
