Narratives in Transit Explores Migration, Memory, and Identity in Contemporary India

Akanksha Patil’s solo exhibition at Gallery Art Positive reflects on displacement and urban transformation through immersive, material-driven works

Gallery Art Positive presents Narratives in Transit, a solo exhibition by emerging contemporary artist Akanksha Patil, curated by Georgina Maddox. Opening on 27 March 2026, the exhibition brings together a compelling body of work that reflects Patil’s evolving artistic journey over the past two years while also signaling new directions in her practice.

Born in 1997 and based between Nagpur, Mumbai, and Delhi, Patil is a graduate of Sir J.J. School of Art. Her practice is deeply rooted in the idea of “saudade”—a Portuguese term expressing a profound sense of longing, nostalgia, and emotional memory. Through the use of corrugated sheets, found materials, and everyday objects, she explores themes of identity, migration, and belonging.

As the recipient of the GAP Award and a represented artist of Gallery Art Positive, this exhibition marks a significant milestone in Patil’s career. Narratives in Transit expands her earlier explorations of personal migration into broader socio-political narratives. The works investigate displacement, urban expansion, and the erosion of cultural practices, particularly in the context of rapidly developing regions in India.

A key focus of the exhibition is Shivangaon, a village impacted by the expansion of Nagpur airport. Patil documents the ongoing transformation of this settlement, where long-standing communities face displacement in the name of development. Through installations incorporating wood, cardboard, cloth, bricks, cement, and video projection, she presents a layered narrative of loss—of homes, traditions, and shared community life.

Her work poignantly captures the fading mohalla culture, the disappearance of local livelihoods, and the shifting rhythms of everyday existence. At the same time, it reflects on resilience and adaptation, incorporating drawings made by local children alongside photographs and maps, forming an intimate archive of memory and place.

The artist shares, “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.”

Curator Georgina Maddox adds, “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, Gallery Art Positive, says, “At Gallery Art Positive, 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.”

Narratives in Transit invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of development, displacement, and identity in contemporary India, offering a deeply immersive and thought-provoking experience.