Curating Power Collective

22 March 2024

Johanna Zetterstrom Sharp (UCL Institute of Archaeology) has been working with the Curating Power Collective, a group of young curators, exploring what makes them feel powerful through research and creative making.

Two young women sitting together at a table and facing each other writing on a large piece of paper in front of them

Last week 'Curating Power' was launched – an intervention into UCL’s Culture Lab by the Curating Power Collective. The collective comprises eight talented young artists, writers, poets, researchers and makers; their brief was to respond creatively to the question, what makes you feel powerful?

The project wanted to look beyond traditional forms of museum display, creating a more immersive, emotional and people centred space and had the honour of working with Alafufo Sikoki-Coleman who delivered three workshops and built a calm, creative and warm space for sharing ideas about what power means and how it impacts our lives.

A group of five young people standing behind a museum exhibition/display case

According to Johanna Zetterstrom Sharp:

“What makes us feel powerful is individual and personal, and yet it is related to and constrained by the wider world. Whilst we strive to define power ourselves, we do not always have the freedom to be powerful in the way we need to feel safe, accepted and respected. I can’t thank them enough for their generosity, courage and expertise."

The Curating Power Collective's work is now on display as part of the 'Power!' exhibition at the UCL Culture Lab, Marshgate, UCL East (Stratford Olympic Park). The space is open to the public on Wednesday afternoons and the first Saturday of every month, or by appointment. Please get in touch to book a visit.