Art Spotlight: Neha Patel

Meet Neha!

Tell us a little about yourself

I live in Suwanee, GA with my husband, Anand, and children Arjun (6) and Meera (5). After the birth of my children, I developed a natural interest in curating a belonging and identity for my children.

Over the last 10 years, I’ve struggled at times to keep up with the evolving digital world we live in now, however, that struggle also presented an opportunity: to weave traditional Indian ideas and concepts that made a positive impact on me into this modern space that I share with my children. I strive to reinvent our belonging and sense of community.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist? 

I can’t remember the exact moment when I started because I truly believe you can’t become an artist, you’re just born one and have to uncover it over time. That takes a lot of careful encouragement and nurturing from yourself and those closest to you.

The absolute pinnacle of my journey with fine arts started when my husband and I attended “Bollywood Nights”, a non-profit gala in Tampa benefiting a dozen charities around the globe. We bid on and won a trip to New York City to experience TEFAF and Frieze where I got to take in a spectrum of art, from around the world, ranging from iconic traditional artists to the modern artists. I knew I had to go home and buy paint brushes!

Tell us about the cultural aspect of your art

I believe culture consists of music, food, and arts. My community has not encouraged and nurture fine arts for a variety of reasons and you can see that in the lack of representation of Indian artists living in America. I want to not only bridge the gap between generations and foster important conversations about our past, present, and future, but I also want to support other Indian artists so we can elevate each other. Collectively, we need to create our own representation.

What inspires you?

I have a genuine curiosity in the different lifestyles we live as people and how it evolved from our ancestors. I am inspired by the day-to-day conversations and interactions that I have with peers in my community. Most of all, I am inspired by ‘now’, which is still a beautiful place to be regardless of where we came from and how we live today.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

I find it rewarding to play a small part in the growth and dispersion of our Indian culture spanning multiple generations.

Neha’s work is featured at Colors of India at the Alpharetta Arts Center through September 23, 2022.

Learn more about Neha at www.artofneha.com & @artofneha