The recent news of 24-year-old photographer and artist Khadija Saye’s death in London’s Grenfell Tower fire was a shock to the creative community. Known for her incredible contribution to this year’s Venice Biennale, Saye’s work explored “how trauma is embodied in the black experience” and the spiritual healers of Gambia. Her legacy is being celebrated with a memorial fund that will give emerging talent from less privileged backgrounds access to resources like training and mentorship.
The Khadija Saye Memorial Fund was started by artists Nicola Green, Dave Lewis and PEER director Ingrid Swenson. They’re currently seeking donations on the crowdfunding platform JustGiving with a goal of £50,000.
They wrote, “On behalf of all of us involved in Khadija’s Saye’s life as an artist, we are setting up this Fund in memory of Khadija, to help others like her to pursue their passion as artists. In due course, we will establish a formal Fund and will make a decision together with those involved in Khadija’s journey as an artist, and with professional partners within the cultural sector, about the best way to channel these donations for this cause.”
The Tate Britain is currently showing Saye’s work in their memorial space as a tribute to “all those who lost their lives at Grenfell Tower.” The apartment building fire, which started in the early hours of June 14, 2017, claimed “at least 79 lives,” sources report.
If you’d like to donate to the Khadija Saye Memorial Fund, you can find more information on the JustGiving page here.
The Red Cross has also set up a relief fund for all those affected by the fire.
Installation view: Khadija Saye, ‘Sothiou’, 2017.