“You go back through all the family photographs and stories, talk to everyone still alive, and research the historical context of their migration, but in the end a family history is largely based on imagination.”
- Susan Aldworth, Artist

Join a talk and tour with artist Susan Aldworth to hear more about the BELONGINGS exhibition, which features the imagined contents of the suitcase her grandmother brought with her when she was migrating from Northern Italy to London in 1924. Thirty-five individual antique clothes, including a nightgown that was in the original suitcase, are hand-embroidered with family photographs, stories and recipes. Suspended in mid-air, they highlight the transitory and emotional state of uprooting a life.

Aldworth will talk about the ideas behind the work and her collaboration with the Royal School of Needlework and Sleaford Embroiderers. This will be followed by a physical journey through the immersive installation to experience an individual family story of migration from 100 years ago to provoke empathetic connections with contemporary narratives of migration, change and belonging.

The talk and tours will take place in The Arcade, Bush House, King’s College London on the following dates:

Wednesday 9 October, 13:00-14:00
Thursday 24 October, 17:00-18:00

Reserve your place here for the talk & tour - on the form you can indicate whether you would like to attend on 9 or 24 October.

Please note that as places at these two events are limited to a maximum of 20 people, we encourage you to sign-up online for a place and to arrive on time on the day.

About the artist

Susan Aldworth (born 1955) is a visual artist who lives and works in London. She has a background in philosophy, and a strong interest in investigating the workings of the human mind and our sense of self. Aldworth has exhibited widely both nationally and internationally and her work is held in many public and private collections including the V&A, British Museum, Fitzwilliam Museum, British Library and Wellcome Collection. She is an associate lecturer at Central Saint Martins and a regular presenter on BBC Radio.

Accessibility information

For more information about access to the Arcade, please visit the AccessAble guide online. Please do not hesitate to contact us at csmh@kcl.ac.uk to further discuss any access requirements, arrangements for companions, or to find out more details about this event.