Nikita Basra

'The Scent of Memory' explores the intimate connection between scent and memory, examining how smell acts as a powerful link to both personal and cultural identity. Grounded in the experiences of South Asian migrants, the project reflects on how culturally specific scents can carry deep emotional weight – reawakening memories of home, heritage and belonging.

A collection of handmade incense sticks were crafted using ingredients strongly rooted in South Asian culture including, turmeric, cardamom, coconut and cumin. Each scent was carefully selected for their strong sensory ties to domestic rituals and familiar spaces. The process of making the incense became an act of both preservation and storytelling, allowing me to translate intangible memories into a physical, sensory experience. By using scent as a medium, the project invites viewers to consider how olfactory memory can bridge geographical, emotional and generational distances – offering comfort, connection and a moment of return for South Asians navigating life in the diaspora.