Bijal Patel

I am a multidisciplinary British South Asian artist (former Psychologist) living and working in Vancouver, Canada. Through a multitude of forms, including mixed media, painting and ink, I express concealed emotions and my journey of loss and change in relation to grief and being a 2nd generation immigrant living between cultures. The struggle in finding physical and emotional spaces in which to fit into, be seen and accepted is a constant theme throughout my work. These themes are explored through the negative and obscure spaces within my work.

I begin my work blindfolded, responding to music with black india ink on brushes which happens organically, channeled by inner emotions. Having turned my emotions outwards through marks on the canvas, I then remove the blindfold to explore the empty spaces between the black ink marks with color. Each piece is deeply personal, and I use color to bring to life hidden emotions and express hope, liberation and freedom.

My intimate work highlights unseen spaces and offers the audience a chance for reflection on their own emotional landscapes and psychological places that may be concealed for them. Through my work, I intend to offer hope; opening conversations by allowing the audience freedom to connect with their own journey of change and loss.

Through the play on aspects of life which can’t be controlled (use of black ink applied blindfolded) and parts of life in which there are elements of control (vibrant colours applied intentionally), I Invite the audience to explore both, simultaneously, focusing on the future to contemplate what is next where there is infinite freedom for everything to come next.