Sudanese Photographers Resist Erasure in 'Resistance in Memory' Exhibition
Edith Arance, the curator, elaborates on the exhibition 'Resistance in Memory: Visions of Sudan', showcasing the work of twelve Sudanese photographers who document the nation's evolution from the 2019 revolution to the ongoing war, displacement, and exile. This exhibition was initially held at Galería Sura in Madrid before being displayed at The Africa Center in New York from November 25, 2025, to June 28, 2026. Arance highlights the ethical duty of addressing an ongoing crisis through curation, the significance of photography in maintaining collective memory, and the importance of prioritizing local narratives over simplistic headlines. The exhibit features nine thematic sections, including topics like Darfur and the 2021 coup, with six photographers residing in Sudan and six in exile. Arance emphasizes the need for context in images and advocates for cultural institutions to present these stories without political bias. The exhibition aims to encourage interaction between the audience and the photographers, showcasing their Instagram accounts. Arance is currently looking for a new location for the exhibition.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Resistance in Memory: Visions of Sudan' features 12 Sudanese photographers.
- Curated by Edith Arance.
- Traces Sudan from 2019 revolution to present war, displacement, and exile.
- Exhibition had nine thematic sections.
- First shown at Galería Sura in Madrid, then adapted for The Africa Center in New York.
- On view at The Africa Center from 25 November 2025 to 28 June 2026.
- Six photographers live in Sudan, six in exile.
- Arance selected lesser-known photographers for their truth and purity.
- Exhibition includes works by Altayeb Morhal, Al Mujtaba Ahmed, Suha Barakat, Shaima Merghani, Jood Elsheikh, Mohamed Zakaria, Marwan Muhammad Abdullah, Ammar Yassir, and others.
- Arance emphasizes depoliticizing the stories and amplifying local voices.
- Instagram accounts of photographers are displayed to encourage dialogue.
- Arance is looking for a new venue for the exhibition.
Entities
Artists
- Edith Arance
- Altayeb Morhal
- Al Mujtaba Ahmed
- Suha Barakat
- Shaima Merghani
- Jood Elsheikh
- Mohamed Zakaria
- Marwan Muhammad Abdullah
- Ammar Yassir
Institutions
- The Africa Center
- Galería Sura
- Art Africa
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Madrid
- Spain
- Sudan
- Omdurman
- Khartoum
- Bahri
- Darfur
- El Daein
- South Darfur
- El Fasher
- North Darfur
- Aburish
- Sennar
- Um Ruwaba
- Juba
- South Sudan