Skip to main content
Story

In pictures: 'Echoes of lives, past', a collaboration between the Alumni of Colour Association and UAL Showcase

2 people standing with their arms around each other and their heads close together. They are standing in a beam of light with their backs to the camera, looking at artwork on the wall in front of them.
  • Written byEleanor Harvey
  • Published date 13 May 2026
2 people standing with their arms around each other and their heads close together. They are standing in a beam of light with their backs to the camera, looking at artwork on the wall in front of them.
'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale

Back in April the University of the Arts London (UAL) Alumni of Colour Association (AoCA) hosted an exhibition of new work by recent UAL graduates. ‘Echoes of Lives, Past’ was the result of a 6-month collaboration with UAL Showcase.  Now in its second year, the project connects artists with alumni volunteers as part of a programme to create new work.

The thoughtful and layered exhibition moved between personal histories and shared realities. The pieces explored themes of resistance, ecologies, medical and media bias, racial injustice, memory, patriarchy and punk, with each work offering its own reflection while contributing to a wider dialogue.

The AoCA committee curated a collection of work by 10 recent graduates, featured on UAL Showcase. The artists then took part in 3 mentoring sessions with committee members to develop new work, culminating in a powerful 5-day exhibition. The work was on show at ArtWorks East, a creative hub in Leyton which is owned by Central Saint Martins (CSM), UAL graduate Leia Darla Davies.

Alongside the exhibition there was also an artists' talk moderated by actor, writer, director and co-Chair of Soho theatre, Alessandro Babalola.

Explore the ‘Echoes of Lives, Past’ collection on UAL Showcase.

Each artist, with the support and encouragement of their mentor … addressed areas of concern by sifting through past experiences, both personal and personal adjacent. Guided by AoCA volunteer mentors ... the artists researched, had difficult conversations, conducted investigative interviews, and dove deep into thorny, abstract memories to make new bodies of work through which they challenge past and present injustices and inspire new ways of thinking.

— Samar F. Zia, curator and mentor for 'Echoes of Lives, Past'

Anisha Sarah Arun

  • Anisha standing in front of her 6 photographs
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • 6 photos, organised 2 by 2 vertically
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • A bed covered with 2 pillows, a duvet and a book titled 'Lonely city'. Light is shining through an unseen window.
    Anisha Arun, 2026 MA Media, Communications and Critical Practice, London College of Communication, UAL

Explore Anisha's work on UAL Showcase

Calvin Chinthaka

  • A black and white photo of an older man, in a striped shirt and and a jacket. His arms are behind his back. In the top left corner the word 'HOPE' is printed in bold capitals.
    'Hope', Calvin Chinthaka, 2025 MA Fashion Photography, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • 2 large, black and white photographs are on display at the top of the wall. Below, 4 iPads, all horizontal display a series of other photos. Beneath them, 4 pairs of scissors hang on string alongside print outs of photos from the display. The instruction 'The artist invites you to cut and take home your favourite print'.
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • Calvin and Annette standing in front of his work. Calvin is holding a copy of the exhibition catalogue, and they're both smiling into the camera.
    Calvin and Annette at 'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale

Explore Calvin's work on UAL Showcase

Celine Asmar

  • Celine wearing a hand embroidered nappa leather with silk chiffon veil.
    'Roots//Riot', Celine Asmar, 2025 BA (Hons) Womenswear, London College of Fashion, UAL | Photograph: Andrew Asma
  • A hand embroidered nappa leather with silk chiffon veil. There's a mohair knit jumper, nappa leather bodice and cotton skirt.
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • Booklet talking about the project. Title says 'Roots//Riots'.
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale

Explore Celine's work on UAL Showcase

Farwa Tahir

  • A graphite transfer of a photo of Farwa's family.
    'Maybe a portrait of a family', Farwa Tahir, 2025 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Farwa stood with her work on display
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • A close-up of a number of the graphite transfers.
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale

Explore Farwa‘s work on UAL Showcase

Finley Gilzene

  • Finley standing in front of his work 'dancing to the boss, 2026'
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • 21 framed cyanotype prints on calico depicting the artist in a series of frames dancing to the boss by Diana Ross
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • Cyanotype print on calico of 9 frames of the artist dancing
    'dancing to the boss, 2026', Finley Gilzene, 2025 BA (Hons) Photography, London College of Communication, UAL

Explore Finley‘s work on UAL Showcase

Freda .O. Igiogbe

  • Clay sculpture in front of an etching.
    'Moon, may your face meeting one bring good fortune', Freda .O. Igiogbe, 2025 BA (Hons) Ceramic Design, Central Saint Martins
  • Freda with her sculptures
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • Close-up of 4 air dry clay sculptures
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale

Explore Freda‘s work on UAL Showcase

Mahshid Salehnezhad

  • Mahshid's installation of photos printed onto material and enhanced with hand embroidery
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • Information on the piece, titles 'seeing beyond the surface'
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • 3 long, narrow strips of material printed with photos hanging neatly on the wall. They extend out onto the floor.
    'Seeing Beyond the Surface', Mahshid Salehnezhad, 2025 BA (Hons) Graphic Communication Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL

Explore Mahshid‘s work on UAL Showcase

Malak Mattar

  • Mixed media painting depicting a scene where a Palestinian farmer is attacked by Israeli settlers.
    'Attack', Malak Mattar, 2025 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Mixed media paintings on display
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • Malak with her mixed media paintings
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale

Explore Malak‘s work on UAL Showcase

Omalola Mau

  • Close-up of one of Omalola's paintings.
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • Omalola standing in front of her photos
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • Acrylic painting on silk using pink, red and orange
    'Leiomyoma II', Omalola Mau, 2025 BA (Hons) Art and Science, Central Saint Martins, UAL

Explore Omalola‘s work on UAL Showcase

Skai Campbell

  • Photo of Skai's work on display
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • Skai standing to the right of his work, smiling into the camera
    'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
  • Risograph print of a comic strip in yellow and green.
    'The Stars', Skai Campbell, 2025 MA Illustration, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL

Explore Skai‘s work on UAL Showcase

Photos from the exhibition and artists' talk

'Echoes of Lives, Past' exhibition title on the wall. In smaller text beneath there is an introduction by the shows curator
'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
Visitors looking at the art work on the walls
'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
People standing, chatting and smiling
'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
People standing and chatting. On the wall at the back is the title of the exhibition, ' Echoes of Lives, Past'.
'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
The artists and mentors standing together in a line, smiling
'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
5 people standing closely together, smiling into the camera
'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
Person looking at artwork on the wall. They have their back to camera and on their jumper it says 'GREATER'
'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
Man in a yellow jumper is standing side on to the camera pointing and looking to the right. People behind him are looking in the same direction.
'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
Panellists sat at the front of the room with audience sat around them. On the wall behind is the title of the exhibition 'Echoes of Lives, Past'
'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
Person sitting with a microphone in their right hand, held up to speak into. To their right, another person is sitting with their hands on their knees; wearing a yellow jumper. On the wall behind are some of the artworks.
'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale
Person standing and applauding in a gallery space during an artist talk, with seated attendees visible in the foreground and reflections of additional visitors in a wall mirror; a large window behind shows a parked car outside.
'Echoes of Lives, Past' at ArtWorks East, 2026 | Photograph: Katwamba Mutale

The mentors were members of the AoCA committee; Samar F. Zia , Annette Fernando, Raayfaye Ali Sheikh and Nilufar Zaman.

The AoCA is a collaborative community that aims to support people of colour in the creative industries. Run by alumni volunteers, the association organises supportive events throughout the year. These feature inspirational speakers and are a great chance to meet like-minded creatives.

Find out more about the AoCA.

UAL Showcase is an always-on global platform. It presents the latest work in art, communication, design, fashion, media, performance and creative computing from graduates, and it offers an exceptional directory of new creativity.

Explore UAL Showcase.

ArtWorks East is a creative hub designed to foster collaboration and spark inspiration. The space brings together artists, designers, filmmakers, editors and creatives of all kinds under one roof.

Related content