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Projects

The UAL Decolonising Arts Institute works on collaborative projects in arts and education across UAL and beyond, seeking to drive and support cultural and institutional change.

Our projects have grown out of dialogues and partnerships, including with artists, researchers and other higher education institutions.

Gallery with placards made out of magazines
Sonia Boyce, Devotional Wallpaper and Placards, 2008-2020. Acquired by the Contemporary Art Society for the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) through the Rapid Response Fund, 2020.

Highlights

  • View of an exhibition at the London College of Fashion
    20/20: Futures, exhibition photography by Mitsi Moulson Studio. Artworks clockwise from front left: Jamila Prowse, 2023, Crip Quilt; Yuen Fong Ling, 2023, Monumentalise; Zoe Zo, Zoe Tumika, Zoe Guthrie, 2024, THE TRICKSTER, MHM; Aqsa Arif, 2023, Anam Ki Almari (The Trophy Cupboard); Adham Faramawy, 2024, The Cyclamen and the Cedar.

    20/20

    Catalysing artists’ careers and change in UK collections through 20 residencies, 20 commissions and 20 new acquisitions.

  • A pearl bracelet worn by a female wearing black jumper
    Keshi Gel Pearl bracelet, Saravich Sungtrakankul, CSM Museum & Study Collection, UAL

    All That Glitters

    Investigating hierarchies of preciousness and beauty in gem and jewellery collections.

  • Illustration of hands with bangles sawing postcard-like images to a thread
    India UK creative cultures project image | Illustration: Indranil Ujagare

    India-UK Creative Cultures

    Examining how the changing international research environment affects India-UK collaboration.

  • A side profile photo of a young boy wearing a helmet
    Larry Achiampong Relic 2 4K colour video with stereo sound 2019 © The Artist. Courtesy of Larry Achiampong & Copperfield London. Image courtesy of British Council Collection

    Transforming Collections

    Dissolving barriers between collections, surfacing patterns of bias and uncovering connections.

Institute associates

Institute Associates work on a specific piece of work with the Institute as part of their scholarly activity at UAL.

Maquette statues and building
Doyeon Kim, in studio, 2021 MA Theatre Design, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

More to explore

  • Pamphlets and booklets on a table.
    Image: Daniel Day, AHRC Black Artists and Modernism project, David Medalla Study Day. Image: Daniel Day

    About us

    Find out more about our vision and ambitions for decolonising arts.

  • Person holding a camera
    Alena Jarrett, 2023 BA Contemporary Media Cultures. London College of Communication, UAL | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

    Digital Library

    An archive of our digital recordings.

  • Gallery with placards made out of magazines
    Sonia Boyce, Devotional Wallpaper and Placards, 2008-2020. Acquired by the Contemporary Art Society for the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) through the Rapid Response Fund, 2020.

    Projects

    Read about Decolonising Arts Institute activities.