The Land Carries

Artist films for Sudan Living Cultures at the Petrie Museum

The Land Carries is a new exhibition at UCL’s The Petrie Museum of Egyptian and Sudanese Archeology. Part of the Sudan Living Cultures programme, the exhibition is an exploration of Sudanese history, culture and nationhood from three artists, multimedia artist Ahmed Akasha (UK), ceramicist Dina Nur Satti (USA) and digital artist Yasmin Elnour (Bahrain). Sudan Living Cultures is a collaborative knowledge exchange between Sudanese individuals and communities in the UK, Sudan and multiple diasporas, artists, museum curators and academics seeking to create new understandings about the museums Sudanese collection by embracing indigenous knowledge and alternative ways to learn.

In support of the exhibition, I made three ‘Meet the artist’ films after spending time with the team at the start of the residency, and having thoughtful and wide ranging conversations with each of them about their practice and current thinking around the residency. What struck me about this project was the great care and considered intentions from everyone in the team as everyone navigated their journeys, and the reparative approach of the project to address past harms and promote hope, healing and justice.

With thanks to Sarita Mamseri and the rest of the incredible team at UCL Museums for their support and guidance throughout the project.