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Eva Sajovic

Rise and Fall of a Temple

6 February – 17 July 2026

Chelsea Space presented Rise and Fall of a Temple, a new body of work by artist Eva Sajovic.

Developed as part of the UAL Research Fellowship at the British School at Rome, Rise and Fall of a Temple explored symbolic "pillars" - the temple that serves as a metaphor for ideology itself, and its columns representing the foundational structures of Roman imperial power that continue to shape and uphold contemporary systems and societal ideologies.

Through the work on display, a film and a series of participatory events, a dynamic framework for exchange developed and the temple became a stage for rethinking dominant narratives, welcoming audiences to participate in its (de)construction - as Eva invited us to consider how the ruins of empire might be reimagined as tools for empathy, renewal, and collective dialogue.

Artist in a gallery stands beside colorful textile sculptures and a woven wall hanging depicting historical figures; the mood is creative and inviting.
Eva Sajovic, 2025, photo by Luana Rigolli

About Eva Sajovic

Eva Sajovic is a Slovene artist working across live art, installation, and social practice, with a focus on material and social transformation. Her work is influenced by her personal experience of Yugoslavia’s disintegration during her teenage years, followed by the fast transition from a socialist to a capitalist state. This formative experience drives Eva’s efforts to understand and navigate the neoliberal world she inhabits.

Eva’s practice often involves large-scale participatory projects, employing collaborative methods to inspire individuals to move beyond passive spectatorship and take active roles in fostering social change. She creates knitted, ceramic, and mixed-media objects that act as props, activators, or tools to support her interventions, and to help develop and refine her ideas during research.

Eva is a Senior Lecturer at Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London (UAL) and the recipient of the UAL Fine Art Fellowship at the British School at Rome (2024/25).

Exhibition

  • Colorful crocheted forms resembling sea creatures and plants climb a white wall and scatter across the concrete floor in a playful gallery display.
    Install Photography by Sutirtha Chatterjee
  • Textile wall art shows layered embroidered panels with a large red bird, blue-gray feathers, botanical motifs, and colorful star borders; playful yet dramatic.
    Install Photography by Sutirtha Chatterjee
  • Pale green ceramic sculpture shaped like a human foot and ankle rests on a colorful patterned rug, conveying quirky, playful artistry.
    Install Photography by Sutirtha Chatterjee
  • Hand-embroidered artwork shows two colorful profile figures facing and kissing, one in red and one in green with a golden halo, on white cloth.
    Install Photography by Sutirtha Chatterjee
  • Close-up of embroidered fabric panels with a tiny gray figure, outlined hands, leaves, stars, and textured yellow, pink, and blue sections.
    Install Photography by Sutirtha Chatterjee