The artwork invites you to look at the church in new ways, drawing your attention to the vibrant colours within the intricate stained glass windows and grandeur of the nave’s ceiling. As you enter, we invite you to ring a traditional Indian temple bell at the start of the installation, welcoming and inviting you to take time to pause and reflect.
Inspired by the rich traditions of Hindu culture – where flowers symbolise positive energy, spirituality and new beginnings – this artwork is a tribute to the power of flowers as a universal language that transcends borders and communities. Across cultures, flowers play a vital role in rituals, ceremonies, and traditions. From joyous festivals to sacred offerings, they hold deep meaning – representing love, welcome, remembrance and renewal. In Indian culture, flower garlands symbolise purity, devotion, respect and celebration and are closely associated with the goddess Lakshmi, inviting blessings of wealth and abundance.
Each flower in this installation is a tribute to the richness and diversity of the communities in Rotherham. Woven together, they create a tapestry that speaks to the interconnectedness of us all – symbolising how different traditions, identities and stories unite.
Saroj Patel’s artworks explore themes of ritual, migration, identity and gender, serving as a means to connect with the visceral aspects of her heritage whilst reflecting on the joys and challenges of growing up as a woman between cultures. Born in Preston and now based in Oxfordshire, Saroj graduated from Central St Martins, London with an MA in Fine Art in 2019. In 2024 Saroj opened three solo shows; Journey of the Blue Sun at The Old Fire Station, Oxford, Interwoven at The Art House, Wakefield and Ocean Mother at Orleans House Gallery, London, alongside unveiling her first outdoor public installation The Wings Flutter, Grasslands are Alive commissioned by RGB Kew for Wakehurst.
