ESAD Talk
Time Zones series
Based on the curatorial practice of Cindy Sissokho, this talk explores the intersections between contemporary art and spirituality approached through anticolonial, social, and political perspectives.
Grounded in her collaborations with artists across transnational contexts – particularly within Africa and diasporas – the talk will open a space to reflect on how spiritual forms and embodied knowledge are embedded, indirectly evoked, or circulate within contemporary artistic practices. These may take the form of ancestral references, gestures, landscapes, amongst others, resiting categories but remaining central to their creation. Drawing on selected curatorial projects, the talk will explore how curatorial work can create the conditions to hold space for these often intangible dimensions connecting to spirituality in art.
Cindy Sissokho
(b. 1992, France) is an independent curator, cultural producer, art consultant, and writer whose practice focuses on anticolonial, social and political perspectives in contemporary art and culture. Her curatorial work is nurtured by the urgency to broaden and disseminate knowledge and artistic production from systemically racialised and marginalised perspectives. Her practice takes shape across multiple formats, including curating multidisciplinary research residencies, small to large-scale exhibitions, critical writing, mentoring, lecturing, panel talks, and other forms of public engagement.
She is currently working on two long-term projects. The first is a collective digital glossary ofnon-terms for the Institution(ing)s project directed by Luísa Santos across Europe, opening up conversations around living knowledges, collective memory, and institutions. The second is Atlantic Threads, an artistic and cultural programme initiated by the Brazilian organisation Pivô, where she works as Curator. This project fosters connections between Brazil, Europe and West Africa.
Deeply committed to curatorial and artistic development, as well as consultancy, she regularly collaborates with artists, curators, and institutions over short to long term projects. Her consultancy work spans mentoring, portfolio reviews, juries and selection panels, art school’s curriculum review, and more.
ESAD Talk – Time Zones series
19th of May 2026
10:30 AM
Location: ESAD Caldas da Rainha