Studio Sessions with Kaajel Patel

This week for our studio sessions series I was super excited to catch up with Kaajel. I first met Kaaj when she modelled for our very first Made My Wardrobe photoshoot back in 2019. Since then we have gone on to work on a whole host of theatre and dance projects. I’m in love with the way she jumps between art forms and always brings an infectious joy to the room.

Lydia: Hey Kaaj, can you introduce us to what you make? 

Kaajel: I dance, I paint, I set design, I act, I teach art & love to cook.

I enjoy playing with different forms of expression.

Lydia: Who or what most inspires you in your making? 

Kaajel: The first ‘artist’ I every knew of was my grandma, although she would never have called herself an artist, but her creations were richly expressive, full of energy & vibrant. Her work was all centred around her devotion for her god & tied in with her journey of life. She created a temple in her front room in Leicester covered entirely with disco ball mirrors & Christmas lights & heavily layered with pictures & idols of Hindu gods. Her daily rituals & practices were like beautifully detailed performances. 

My art I feel is instinctual in a similar way. Every work has a connection to each other yet they are all separate parts. They all say something about me & reveal something about the way I feel or am. I put parts of myself in everything I make. I take inspiration from lived experience.

Lydia: A favourite text/song/poem? 

Kaajel: Satarangi Re - from a film called Dil se

See the video, It's really beautiful! 

Lydia: If you were to work in another discipline what would you choose?

Kaajel: Floristry - flowers are so wonderfully unique & fascinating. I’d love to learn more & maybe study their healing powers.

Lydia: Introduce us to another maker whose work you love…

Kaajel: Kyla Harris (aka @bedrrom_activist)

To see more from Kaajel, follow her @kaajel_patel

Lydia: What environments make you feel most creative?

Kaajel: Warm, colourful, lived, vast spaces with nature & light. I love feeling fresh in the morning & cosy night. I need physical space to run around in, I also need cosy spaces for small intimate thinking & quieter conversations with collaborators. Lots of sky & green. Intense natural beauty to feel curious about & delve deeply into. 

Lydia: How do you find space to make in such a busy/expensive city?

Kaajel: I have to find ways to make living space changeable to work for what I need creatively.

Usually my home only works for the reflective work & planning. I try to make the most of my ‘Dreamscape’ too - so if i'm exploring an idea & feel limited in space sometimes I try & dream it through in the morning before I properly wake. 

I also rent spaces to run around & dance in. It’s really important for me to have the space to build up energy & play with movement freely. It’s worth spending money on these sessions for me.