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Work of photographer killed in Grenfell goes on display

Local Democracy Reporting Service

In the summer of 2017, young photographer Khadija Saye was exhibiting her work at the Venice Biennale – one of the world’s most prestigious shows.

She was selected to show work exploring her Gambian-British identity and it was shown alongside work by established artists such as Isaac Julien and Yinka Shonibare.

A few weeks later the Hammersmith-born photographer died in the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower.

She lived on the 20th floor of the tower block, along with her mother Mary Mendy, who also died that night.

Much of her work perished with her. The year after her death two of her photos were sold by auction house Christie’s to raise money for a foundation in her name.

Now her surviving work is going on display in a gallery near her home.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic the curators had to be creative and Khadija’s work fills the windows of the building at 236 Westbourne Grove.

The show is the first of the Breath is Invisible installations at the building in Notting Hill which run until 9 October.

David Lammy, who was friends with her, launched the show saying that “despite these tough times” the show “celebrates the importance of the art, celebrates the importance of diversity and absolutely puts square our future and our young people”.

“Khadija was a tender, gentle and creative soul, on the cusp of something special in her artistic career when her life was tragically cut short,” he said.