​Hetain Patel has a diverse multi media and performative practice. Identity formation has been central to his concerns since the beginning of his career, more recently this idea has been viewed through the lenses of imitation, language and physical movement. Increasingly Hetain’s work is populated by characters, both fictional and real, in relation to which the artist juxtaposes himself in moments of elision and dissonance. Since 2010, his work has extended from gallery settings to the theatre. Hetain’s practice, exploring the subtle and often humorous complexities of life, has won a number of awards, including the Jarman Award for the film Don’t Look at the Finger (2019) and the Best International Film, Kino Der Kunst, Munich (2020). 
 
Recent solo projects include: Come as you really are, The Hobby Cave, Art Angel, London (UK, 2024), travelling exhibition across the UK until 2026; Don’t Look at the Finger, Tate St Ives (UK, 2023); Trinity, New Art Exchange, Nottingham (UK, 2022) and John Hansard Gallery, Southampton (UK, 2021); Baa’s Gold, Copperfield, London (UK, 2021); Heavy Metal & Plastic Dreams, Birmingham Library (UK, 2020); Don’t Look at the Finger, Chatterjee & Lal, Mumbai (India), Tanzhaus, Düsseldorf (Germany), John Hansard Gallery, Southampton (UK), New Art Gallery, Walsall (UK), and Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester (UK) (travelling between 2017-2018).
 
Patel’s work has been presented at institutions internationally, including: Serpentine Gallery, London (UK); Tate Modern, London (UK); Tate Britain, London (UK;) Whitechapel Gallery, London (UK); National Gallery London (UK); Wellcome Collection, London (UK); Foundling Museum, London (UK); ICA, London (UK); Somerset House, London (UK); Devi Art Foundation, Delhi (India); Drawing Room, London (UK); MUCEM, Marseille (France); Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester (UK); Asia Pacific Triennial, Brisbane (Australia); Southbank Centre, London (UK); Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art, Beijing (China); Royal Opera House, London (UK); Sadler’s Wells, London (UK); National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai (India).