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British Library honours artist who died tragically in the Grenfell fire

A display of Khadija Saye's self-portraits commemorates her artistic legacy.
26th May 2021
    Nine powerfully evocative self-portraits by the Gambian-British artist, Khadija Saye, explore embodiment and ritual. Using objects with significance across African traditions of spirituality, Islam and Christianity, Khadija Saye: in this space we breathe is a striking collection. Saye, who was tragically killed in the Grenfell fire, experimented with a photographic technique that captures a conversation between what is tangible and what is beyond reach.

    Ideas are like rabbits

    ‘Ideas are like rabbits, you get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you will have a dozen.’

    Soundsystem as pedagogy

    'You left recalibrated. Heartbeat altered. Shoulders lowered.'

    Bad Signal

    'All language use can be seen as extending a hand; words and their corresponding meanings are always about relationships'

    The Authenticator

    Painful truths hidden in the shadows of history

    Minor Black Figures

    Making art without looking over your shoulder

    Hedda

    An imperfect description of humanity

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    Free Will

    Will Harris reads his poem, 'Free Will'. Directed by Matthew Thompson and commissioned by the Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation.

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    Half Written Love Letter

    Selina Nwulu reads her poem, 'Half Written Love Letter'. Directed by Matthew Thompson and commissioned by the Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation.

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