Deshna Shah
Education:
2024–2025 MFA Fine Art, Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford (Plachte Award Winner)
2022-2023 Fleet Fellow, Art History, Criticism and Conservation, Princeton University
2017–2021 1* BFA Fine Art, Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford (Emery Award Winner)
Notable Exhibition History:
11/2024 Elevator Studios, Liverpool
11/2024 Hilton House, Manchester
03/2024 The Manchester Open, Home Gallery, Manchester - Manchester Open 2024 Award Nominee
07/2022 My East Is Your West, Victoria And Albert Museum, London
05/2022 Intersections, Paradise Works, Manchester
03/2022 (Solo) Kahani, Pembroke Gallery Oxford - Emery Prize Winner
09/2021 Sign, Symbol, Sound, Modern Art Oxford
06/2019 Magdalen Art Show, Magdalen College, Oxford (Self Curated)
07/2016 We Are Making, Manchester Art Gallery
02/2016 What Is The Future Of Art? Tate Modern, Opening Weekend Exhibition
I use my interactive art practice as an opportunity to challenge, question and learn from audiences. Through the continual observation of my thoughts and experiences, I create methods to encourage viewers to investigate their lives. For example, I explore the interplay between the visible vs. invisible, performed vs. authentic, inviting audiences to question what lies beneath the surface and consider the masks we consciously or subconsciously wear in our daily lives.
My work bridges immersive experiences with an in-depth exploration of identity, societal taboos, and personal purpose. I have experimented with various mediums, including rice Rangoli, installations, food, wax, painting, sound, and print, using each to expand the boundaries of human connection. A central aspect of my practice is my 'Twilight Language,' a cryptographic script I developed based on Hindi, English, and Gujarati—the three languages of my upbringing. This script serves as a means to mask and share our hidden thoughts, inviting reflection on the nature of communication, secrecy, and the authenticity of our expressions.
