You Are Who You See / Anushka Patel

Composed entirely of close video portraits of the eyes of those who occupy the artist's present life, the work becomes a self-portrait not through depiction, but through the gaze of those who shape the artist's world. Filmed through intimate, unscripted conversations, each subject holds a distinct place within Patel's current emotional and relational landscape. As they spoke, subtle shifts began to surface-micro-expressions, flickers of warmth, recognition, and tenderness. The camera captured these real-time emotional responses, allowing each portrait to hold a specific and deeply personal resonance. Each gaze becomes more than a visual record; it becomes a moment of presence. In seeing them, she began to see herself.

The work reflects a quiet belief that we are shaped by every interaction, whether fleeting or profound, each one leaving its trace on who we are becoming. As the camera lingers on their gaze, we are offered more than observation. We are…