Posted on 1 April 2026:
Narratives in Transit: Akanksha Patil’s Poetic Exploration of Memory and Migration
Gallery Art Positive presents Narratives in Transit –a solo exhibition by Akanksha Patil curated by Georgina Maddox, at Old MB Road, Lado Sarai, New Delhi. Opened on 27 March 2026, the exhibition will remain on view until 27 April 2026. This body of work traces Akanksha Patil’s evolving journey over the past two years, while signaling bold new directions in her practice.
Born in 1997 and trained at Sir J.J. School of Art, Patil’s sensibility is steeped in the Portuguese notion of saudade—a tender longing that permeates her use of corrugated sheets, found materials, and everyday objects. Her art becomes a vessel for themes of identity, migration and belonging, expanding from personal narratives into broader socio-political terrains.
At the heart of the exhibition lies Shivangaon, a village reshaped by the expansion of Nagpur airport. Patil’s installations—woven from wood, cloth, bricks, cement and video projection—capture the layered story of displacement and resilience. Fading mohalla culture, vanishing livelihoods, and shifting rhythms of daily life are juxtaposed with children’s drawings, photographs, and maps, forming an intimate archive of memory and place.
This milestone exhibition, supported by the GAP Award and Gallery Art Positive, positions Patil as a voice of contemporary India—one who transforms loss into lyrical testimony and migration into a resonant narrative of adaptation.
Voices of Migration: Akanksha Patil’s Resonant Practice
“My work reflects the tensions between rural life and urban expansion, highlighting the realities of forced migration. Through materials like cardboard, wood, and found objects, along with video documentation, I attempt to evoke the complexities of these transitions. Working closely with the Shivangaon community over two years, I aim to present not just their loss, but their lived experiences and voices.”—says Akanksha Patil.
Curator Georgina Maddox observes, “Patil’s practice is both personal and political. Her work demonstrates a sensitive yet powerful engagement with migration, memory, and belonging. Drawing from lived experiences, she creates narratives that resonate beyond the individual, reflecting broader socio-cultural transformations.”
Anu Bajaj, Director of Gallery Art Positive, affirms this vision: “We are committed to supporting artists who push boundaries through innovative materials and ideas. Akanksha Patil’s work exemplifies a new generation of contemporary Indian artists who are redefining artistic expression while engaging deeply with social realities.”
THIS TRIAD OF PERSPECTIVES—ARTIST, CURATOR AND DIRECTOR—FRAMES NARRATIVES IN TRANSIT AS MORE THAN AN EXHIBITION. IT IS A DIALOGUE ON DISPLACEMENT, RESILIENCE AND THE EVOLVING LANGUAGE OF CONTEMPORARY INDIAN ART.
