Sara Shamma: Modern Slavery

1 October – 22 November 2019 | Monday – Friday 10.00 – 17.00

Free admission

Please note the exhibition will be closed from 14.00 on 12 November for a private event.

Human trafficking and modern slavery affect an estimated 40 million people worldwide.

Sara Shamma: Modern Slavery draws attention to this pressing global issue through a new series of large-scale portraits by London-based Syrian artist Sara Shamma.

The exhibition is the result of a research-based residency as part of the King’s Artists programme at King’s College London. Based within the department of Health Service and Population Research in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), the artist worked closely with Dr Siân Oram and in partnership with the Helen Bamber Foundation. Sara Shamma: Modern Slavery is curated by Kathleen Soriano.  

After becoming aware of the display and sale of women and girls in slave markets in Syria and Iraq, Shamma was moved to explore and draw attention to the psychological impact of modern slavery. Through interviews with survivors of modern slavery and professionals working in the field, the artist brings a raw and unique artistic perspective to one of today’s greatest challenges.  This compelling exhibition considers the meaning of survival, endurance and recovery from survivor’s perspectives. Shamma also reflects on the work of the many individuals and foundations who support recovery and campaign for greater awareness of this global issue, in the hope of bringing future change.

There is a programme of accompanying events and a new film being created for the residency project will be shown as part of the exhibition.

A fully illustrated book on the exhibition, with essays by Dr Siân Oram and Kathleen Soriano, will be available in The Union Shop in Bush House Arcade.

Sara Shamma: Modern Slavery is a collaboration between the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London and artist Sara Shamma as part of King’s Artists. It is supported by the King’s Sanctuary Programme and by the university’s Culture team.

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