Invited by Eastside Projects n:u (melissandre varin) designed a tentacular project between Dakar (SN) and Birmingham (GB) on eco-grief, play, and prayers for collective freedom and liberation .

dirty nails marked the first major exhibition by n:u (melissandre varin), debuting a body of newly commissioned sculptures, installations, and performance works. Conceived as a bridge between Senegal and the UK, the experiment operated as a decentralised experiment in collective creation.

Within this framework, n:u (melissandre varin) also curated and commissioned works by Bronwyn Katz, Agnes Essonti Luque, Maria Muehombo/M I M I, Ban Workshop, Jade Blackstock, (children) Bousebik and Eole, Carmen Wong, Ayesha Jones, Sym Stellium, Ibrahima Ndome, and Wutangu. The process began with a collective residency at Ban Workshop during the OFF of Dak’Art Biennale, defined by generosity and care with communal public meals and performance arts offerings, alongside conversations. The project culminated in a Birmingham exhibition and public programme centered on communion, healing, and liberation. It was a radical invitation to play, grieve, and hum; to throw soil on white walls, to dance, to pray, and to be moved by the unknown. more about the overall project here: https://dirtynails.eastsideprojects.org/

commissioned: Eastside Projects and FABRIC (GB)

funded: Arts Council England project grant and Fluxus Art Projects