Sejal Patel, US Photography, currently has four of her pieces on display at the National Museum of Natural History’s Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation exhibit in Washington D.C. The exhibit opened February 26, 2014, and features work from Ms. Patel’s series, If I Were Back in India, Who Would I Be?. 

Ms. Patel attended the opening reception last night, February 26, and had the following to say about the experience and the exhibit:

It was an amazing feeling to walk around this exhibition last night, not knowing many people in the space but recognizing the same sentiments, stories, and experiences from my ancestral roots. As a teacher, an aunt, and an artist I was pleased to see my work be part of such a thoughtful and informative exhibit.

Exploring the “heritage, daily experience and contributions” Indian immigrants and Indian Americans have made to the United States, Beyond Bollywood will be at the Smithsonian Asian Pacific Center for a year before traveling around the country. Read more about the exhibit here and see more of Ms. Patel’s work here.

Congratulations, Ms. Patel!