Saloni Parekh: Chaturanga
Category: Event Calendar
Date and Time
- Wed, May 21, 2025 - Sat, Jun 14, 2025
Location
Akron Soul Train
191 S Main St
Details
Saloni Parekh’s Chaturanga is a conversation about religion and its positive consistencies in tandem with its divisive inconsistencies. Rooted in curiosity, it also asks playful questions like ‘What might god look like?’ Through paintings and multimedia installations, Chaturanga explores the intricate links between religion, politics, and personal devotion, weaving strategy with philosophy to mirror the complexities of faith and power. Confronted by extremism and its political entanglements, Parekh feels compelled to revisit the subtler concept of ‘god’ not as dogma, but as a symbol rich with historical, mnemonic, and emotional resonance on both global and deeply personal levels. Though Parekh’s imagery stems mainly from South Asian Hinduism and Islam, her pieces and their explorations do not strictly align with one particular religion; instead, they combine various understandings from different fields, including philosophy and science, to encompass values prioritizing inclusivity, engagement, innovation, ethics, and the transformative power of narrative in the digital age.
As part of Chaturanga, the CapSOUL gallery will feature Saloni Parekh’s "Houses on the Game Board Are On Fire,” a short film and interactive installation. This piece invites viewers to engage in a surreal game that challenges conventional religious narratives and explores alternative spiritual practices. By incorporating advanced AR and 3D technology, Parekh creates a virtual space that reflects the complexities of the divine as understood in South Asian traditions.
About the Artist Saloni Parekh:
Saloni Parekh is a South Asian visual artist who relocated to the United States in 2017. She is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Painting at Oberlin College and Conservatory. Saloni Parekh has a B.Sc. in Physics, followed by a B.F.A in Painting from Kent State University. Recently, she earned an MFA from the University of Tennessee. Her artistic practice spans a range of media, including painting, video, and sound. Parekh's artistic endeavors have been showcased in numerous institutions, including the Tennessee Valley Arts Museum, Tri-Star Arts, and the Elaine Bailey Augustine Art Gallery at the University of Northern Alabama. She is preparing for an upcoming exhibition at the CICA Museum in South Korea.
Akron Soul Train is open Wednesday - Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm.
