Pioneers: Amar Chadha Patel

What does your work involve?

I would say I’m an actor. But in many past lives I’ve been a film director, musician, designer and server of champagne to rich people. Acting is probably what I’m best at, but being a filmmaker in general is in my blood flow and I will always try to keep doing that. I probably won’t go back to serving champagne.

What inspires you?

Creatively, I take inspiration from any marginalised person who’s had to fight to show their lived experience in art. Some of the world’s most magnificent art comes from pushing a voice we’ve never seen or heard towards the world’s eyes, ears and fingers through barriers of poverty, racism or gender inequality.

Frida Khalo, Robert Johnson, Hilma af Klint, Riz Ahmed, Gurinder Chadha, Barry Jenkins and Jai Paul are just some of those whose work I am inspired by. Often these people rewrote or created entirely new genres for future generations, and I’m sure there are countless historical and future artists we need to really look out for. Embracing mediocrity is the death of discovery.

What message would you give to the next generation? 

To artists: make, make, make, make and create. There is no better way to hone your craft than to keep making with what you have. You’ll learn your strengths and weaknesses, and find what excites you and what disappoints you.

To future generations in general: I’m sorry we’ve screwed things up so much, but you can see more and learn more and do it much quicker than we ever could. I think that hopefully will make you better than us! There’s some pretty beautiful stuff on this planet. Make sure you embrace it to remind yourselves why it’s good to be here.