The HAT Project creates opportunities for designer makers to spend time working as artists in residence in a range of international contexts. Each residency is set up for an average of three months during which time the artists undertake practice based research.  Partnerships are established with a range of organisations and arts agencies in the UK and abroad. Through these partnerships a programme of fellowships is established over 2 or 3 years. The fellowships are awarded to selected artists. Through the programme a body of experience, knowledge, critical exchange and work is built up, and relationships developed between the artists, the hosts and the “communities” of practice that are connected with the artists and hosts.

Jaimini Patel was selected from the UK for a residency with Theertha. Jaimini graduated with a Master of Arts from the Slade School of Fine Art in 2005.  She has exhibited and taken part in residencies in the U.K and Internationally.  Selected exhibitions include: Concurrence, 253 Genesee, Utica, New York, USA, Conjunction 06, Seven Seven Contemporary, London, FlyPitch, Brixton Market, London, Intervention, John Hansard Gallery, Southampton, Sugar & Spice, 198 Gallery, London, Message to India, Queens Gallery British Council, New Delhi, Art Folio, Chandigarh, Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur, Cymroza Art Gallery, Mumbai, India.  Jaimini lives and works in London.

Artist’s statement:

During my time at Theertha I have used synthetic and organic materials to make unexpected discoveries that have come out of a slow activity of looking and waiting.  Some of these materials are made in Sri Lanka or come from the land and others might be found anywhere in the world.  These materials may have many stories to tell but I am interested in an experience of the work that comes before thought or language.  My quest is for that which appears simple.   I have tried to breath life into these inert objects so that they might be able to walk away and take us somewhere with them.

Related links:

Exhibition event information
Hat website