Through the Ancestral Lens

Video works by internationally acclaimed artists in which the past, present and futures collide are presented in an intervention in the collection displays at the Sainsbury Centre.

Through new perspectives, the artworks will activate the collection which spans 5,000 years of creativity. Provenance (2021) by author and UEA alumni, Ayobámi Adébáyo, is a multiscreen installation following the journey of a sacred ibeji artefact from Benin City to a UK museum. Andreas Angelidakis’ Walking Building (2006) conceives a roaming museum appropriate for the digital age. Inuk artist Asinnajaq’s award-winning film Three Thousand (2017) presents a sublime imaginary universe of the Inuit people drawn from archive footage and animation. Collectively these artworks explore the themes of ancestral histories, archives, the place of objects in museums and their futures.

A social late event for students will allow students to enjoy these works of art and explore their themes with activities organised by the Sainsbury Centre learning team.

The exhibition will be free and drop in. Find out more here.