Salford Lightwaves artist lineups begin to be announced

A talented curator has expressed her excitement about contributing to a Salford art festival and explained how she will use the platform to draw attention to a pressing environmental issue.

Daksha Patel is one of 12 artists set to showcase their work at a visually spectacular light show taking place at Salford Quays this December.

Lightwaves, a free exhibition based on the Quays, is returning to Salford for its 12th year and the lineup of gifted artists is beginning to take shape.

Daksha is one of the three artists who have been unveiled ahead of the event and said she jumped at the chance to get involved when the opportunity arose.

“It was a callout. The way I get work, exhibitions and events, is either through being invited to apply for something or I apply,” she said.

Daksha is a Manchester-based artist whose work involves installation, animation, textiles, print and drawing. She specialises in the creation of art with a clear scientific angle and hopes her exhibit will make Salfordians consider their environmental decisions.

“It will bring people’s attention to climate change.” It is such a pressing theme. We are very aware now of droughts and floods and storms, which have almost become an everyday occurance.

She says her artwork at the event as informed by extensive reaserch that took her multiple months to compile.

Daksha’s part of the show will involve animated images of trees and various depictions of molecules through light. Her piece will also have a live video and interactive elements.

She said: “People can start interacting with the piece. It becomes a live video. People are also invited to reach out and touch some of the molecules and they can actually make it disappear.”

Her artwork involves a metaphorical depiction of greenhouse gasses and allows people to interact and destroy the particles of gasses. It serves as a literal depiction of fighting against climate change.

Daksha is one of three artists set to feature at lightwaves this winter, the lineup is being unveiled on the Quays Culture Facebook page.

The showcase at Salford Quays begins on Thursday the 5 of December and runs until Saturday the 7 December.