Ethiopian artist Aida Muluneh continues to rock the contemporary art world with her high-impact, symbolic photographs. To kick off the new year on a positive note, she will be making her debut at Impressions Gallery from 10 January 2025 to 26 April 2025 with the exhibition “Nationhood: Memory and Hope“. Through this selection of works, Aida Muluneh celebrates the diversity and heroes of the United Kingdom, paying tribute to all those individuals who work quietly but tirelessly to make our world a better place.
“Nationhood: Memory and Hope” is more than just an exhibition; it represents the first-ever UK City of Culture project to be presented in all four countries. It highlights the rich diversity of today’s United Kingdom and offers, through the series of photographs presented, an innovative look at England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Through her unique artistic lens, Aïda Muluneh weaves compelling narratives that explore the nuances of contemporary British identity, celebrating memory and hope with striking intensity. The exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in a world where the beauty of diversity is revealed, affirming that art is a powerful vehicle for change and awareness.
“Nationhood: Memory and Hope” showcases remarkable works by renowned Ethiopian photographer Aïda Muluneh, alongside a range of emerging local artists from four UK cities. At the heart of the exhibition are the contemporary artist’s portraits of local heroes. These works, which were first displayed on billboards in Bradford in September and October 2024, pay tribute to iconic figures from each community.
Complementing this, captivating photographs taken in 2024 at iconic locations in Bradford, Belfast, Cardiff and Glasgow are also on display. These have been inspired by local legends and showcase the creative engagement of photographers including Roz Doherty and Shaun Connell in Bradford, Chad Alexander and Eva O’Rawe McCarthy in Belfast, Robin Springer and Grace Springer in Cardiff, and Haneen Hadiy and Miriam Ali in Glasgow. This exhibition celebrates the richness and diversity of local narratives through photography.
“Nationhood: Memory and Hope” is a meaningful project that honours those who, through their often quiet actions, are making a difference in our world. Among the figures highlighted in the exhibition are Adele Patrick, a cultural worker, Anita Shelton, a human rights and equality campaigner, and Linda Jackson, a musician, writer, editor and campaigner. These iconic Glaswegians are playing a vital role in building a more equal and inclusive society today.
The exhibition was first shown on billboards in Bradford, where it ran until 6 October 2024. It will then continue its journey to Impressions Gallery in Bradford in January 2025, before travelling to other regional galleries. It will be exhibited at Belfast Exposed, Ffotogallery in Cardiff and Street Level Photoworks later in 2025, ensuring that these visual accounts of the struggle for a better future are widely disseminated.