Explore a thoughtful and personal journey through motherhood, heritage, belonging, and the connections that exist across generations and continents.

Developed across India, East Africa and the UK, discover a photographic series that explores the connected histories of Arpita Shah, her mother, and grandmother.

“My grandmother was born in India but grew up in Kenya for 12 years before moving back to India. Although I visit my grandmother every couple of years in India, I have realised how little I really know about what she was like as a young woman, her memories, experiences, and what her relationships were like with her own mother and her daughter.” – Arpita Shah

Arpita’s photographic journey uncovered forgotten family photographs, memories of objects and places, and shared family stories.

Through this, she reconnects with her maternal lineage and explores how migration, distance, and loss have shaped their lives.

Through portraiture, she also finds a physical connection to her mother and grandmother, helping her understand how closely their lives are connected.

What to expect

Discover 26 photographic works displayed alongside archival family photographs and personal objects, like dried flowers and traditional saris.

The exhibition takes its name from Arpita’s grandmother, Nalini, a word that means ‘lotus’ in Sanskrit.

Floral motifs are a recurrent feature in Arpita’s work and this iconic plant symbolises purity, femininity, and fertility in Hindu culture.

The artist performs floral offerings to the women in her family, and some of her images feature symbolically significant flowers adorning old photographs from family albums.

A passport photo of Arpita’s great-grandmother is decorated by bougainvillea, a plant introduced to India and East Africa during the British Empire.

About Arpita Shah

Arpita Shah is a photographic artist based in Eastbourne, UK.

She works between photography and film, exploring the fields where culture and identity meet.

As an India-born artist, Arpita spent an earlier part of her life living between India, Ireland, and the Middle East before settling in the UK.

This migratory experience is reflected in her practice, which often focuses on the notion of home, belonging and shifting cultural identities.

A Street Level Photoworks touring exhibition supported by Creative Scotland and Hope Scott Trust