Sacred Architectures
Curated by Cindy Sissokho
Artists: Hoda Afshar, Ufuoma Essi, Anthony Jamari Thomas
Peripheral Witnessing, an activation by Henrique J. Paris, 16th sep, 7.30pm
© Speak the Wind, video still, Hoda Afshar
Sacred Architectures is a moving-image exhibition that draws on the interconnections between histories of resistance, spirituality, and the politics of movements. Featuring works by Hoda Afshar, Anthony Jamari Thomas, and Ufuoma Essi, the exhibition reflects on how sacred practices – whether religious, ancestral, or vernacular – become a part of the architectures that shape our lives.
Spirituality appears in many forms: invisible and hyper-visible, physical and immaterial, sonic and embodied that guide, transform and sustain us offering ways of care, resilience, collective cultural memory, and hope.
The exhibition unfolds as a convivial screening space. It also features a new installation, Peripheral Witnessing, by Henrique J. Paris, that will be coming to life in a special one-off activation at the launch.
Cindy Sissokho (b. 1992, France) is an independent curator, cultural producer, art consultant, and writer whose practice focuses on anticolonial, social, and political approaches within the arts and culture. Her curatorial work is driven by the urgency to broaden and disseminate knowledge and artistic production from systemically racialised and marginalised perspectives.
Her practice takes shape across multiple formats, including curating multidisciplinary research residencies, small- to large-scale exhibitions, critical writing, mentoring, lecturing, panel talks, and other forms of public engagement.
She is currently developing a collective and digital glossary of non-terms for the Institution(ing)s project directed by Luísa Santos, opening up conversations around living knowledge, collective memory, and institutions.
Deeply committed to curatorial and artistic development, as well as consultancy, she regularly collaborates with artists, curators, and institutions on projects ranging from short- to long-term. Her consultancy work spans mentoring, portfolio reviews, juries and selection panels, art school curriculum review, and more.
She is currently a Curator at the Wellcome Collection in London, where she curated the major exhibition Hard Graft: Work, Health & Rights (Sep 2024 – Apr 2025) and a new collection display launching on 24 October 2025.
She was the co-curator of the French Pavilion at the 60th edition of the Venice Biennale in 2024, working with artist Julien Creuzet and curator Céline Kopp.
She previously worked as a Curator and Touring and Special Projects Producer at the New Art Exchange and as part of the Exhibitions & Public Programmes team at Nottingham Contemporary.