Saodat Ismailova's First UK Solo Show at BALTIC Explores Memory and Myth

The BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead is set to host Saodat Ismailova's inaugural solo exhibition in a UK institution, titled 'As We Fade,' running from 8 November 2025 until 7 June 2026. This exhibit will showcase the world premiere of her double-channel film 'Swan Lake' (2025), which utilizes archival footage from Uzbekistan to delve into the ideological disintegration of Perestroika. Featured works include 'Zukhra' (2013), 'As We Fade' (2024), and 'Melted into the Sun' (2024), all of which tackle themes of memory, loss, and environmental transformation. Born in Tashkent in 1981, Ismailova's work emphasizes Central Asian narratives, especially those of women, employing a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses research, oral storytelling, and rituals. The exhibition aligns her with notable figures such as Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Walid Raad, and Shirin Neshat, bringing attention to lesser-known Central Asian perspectives.