Image: Elisabeth Efua Sutherland, work in progress. Photo: Fly Films UK
CONTESTED DESIRES: CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUES
What are the impacts of colonial heritage on society today and whose stories do we hear?
Contested Desires: Constructive Dialogues considers the problematic legacy of European colonialism. With a focus on international artistic production, exchange and learning, the programme offers unique opportunities for artists, curators and museums to explore the inequalities and gaps within the current discourse.
Funded by European Union’s Creative Europe programme, Contested Desires builds on its first iteration, connecting the global North and South. During the three-year project, 17 artist residencies will take place in 12 countries to create new artworks to encourage understanding and reveal untold narratives.
From the Greeks to the Romans, from the Ottomans to the seafaring nations of Western Europe, Europeans have exploited, imposed and foraged cultures and communities to build their empires. In the shadow of the complex and contested legacy of colonisation, we are hearing a clear call for a reappraisal of the way in which histories are edited and people’s heritage is presented. From the removal of historic statues and proposals for new memorials, to demands for educational reform, the repatriation of looted artefacts and reparations; citizens are rightly calling into question the connection between the past and the present, interrogating the ways that national identities are crafted and systems of oppression are upheld.
Through residencies, exhibitions and events, the programme will share its findings with communities to build a shared understanding of this colonial past and what it means to different people today.
Contested Desires: Constructive Dialogues considers the problematic legacy of European colonialism. With a focus on international artistic production, exchange and learning, the programme offers unique opportunities for artists, curators and museums to explore the inequalities and gaps within the current discourse.
Funded by European Union’s Creative Europe programme, Contested Desires builds on its first iteration, connecting the global North and South. During the three-year project, 17 artist residencies will take place in 12 countries to create new artworks to encourage understanding and reveal untold narratives.
From the Greeks to the Romans, from the Ottomans to the seafaring nations of Western Europe, Europeans have exploited, imposed and foraged cultures and communities to build their empires. In the shadow of the complex and contested legacy of colonisation, we are hearing a clear call for a reappraisal of the way in which histories are edited and people’s heritage is presented. From the removal of historic statues and proposals for new memorials, to demands for educational reform, the repatriation of looted artefacts and reparations; citizens are rightly calling into question the connection between the past and the present, interrogating the ways that national identities are crafted and systems of oppression are upheld.
Through residencies, exhibitions and events, the programme will share its findings with communities to build a shared understanding of this colonial past and what it means to different people today.
What's happening
North East Narratives – Art, Collaboration and Decolonial PracticeJoin us for a special event with Elisabeth Efua Sutherland, Paul Nataraj and Ziza, alongside North East-based collaborators. Following international residencies, they will reflect upon their time as D6 artists in residence and their decolonial practice. 15 July | The Customs House
|
Listening Across Borders: Paul Nataraj at D6Following residencies in Budapest and Lisbon, the North of England–based sound artist returns with a new residency at D6, bringing global collaborations back to local communities.
|
Contested desires at the late shows 2026D6 celebrated incredible art, collaboration and heritage at the Late Shows 2026 with work by Elisabeth Efua Sutherland, Paul Nataraj and Ziza, connecting local stories to global conversations.
|
Ziza Presents free to roam at Gift 2026We are delighted to announce that artist Ziza is presenting Free to Roam at GIFT: Gateshead International Festival of Theatre as part of their Contested Desires residency with D6.
|
Acts of witnessing at Tyne Theatre & opera HouseElisabeth Efua Sutherland shared interconnected histories of Black and African performers at Newcastle's Tyne Theatre & Opera House, uncovering the city’s entanglement with abolitionist history and popular entertainment.
|
Ziza's Residency Exploring colonial narrativesFollowing residencies at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights in Chile and Italy’s Museo Egizio in Turin, Patrick Ziza is taking part in a residency at D6 in North East England to develop their research on colonial narratives and power structures.
|
|
Elisabeth Efua Sutherland - Acts of witnessing residency
|
D6 welcomed Elisabeth Efua Sutherland back to Newcastle as she continues to expand her research on the interconnected stories of black and African people in the North East of England.
|
2025
Patrick ziza in conversation with Kate SweeneyKate Sweeney’s interview with Patrick Ziza for Corridor8 delves into Ziza's practice and residency at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, where Ziza encountered the seahorse as an emblem of survival and hope.
|
EXHIBITION QUESTIONS EUROPE'S COLONIAL PASTThe doors to CONTESTED DESIRES opened at the Great North Museum: Hancock this summer. From Europe to Africa to South America, the artists invited audiences to consider new perspectives on the legacies of Europe’s colonial past.
|
|
As part of the CONTESTED DESIRES exhibition and wider conversation addressing decolonisation, we joined with artists, researchers and activists for a day of thought-provoking discussions around contemporary art, heritage and community.
|
As part of the CONTESTED DESIRES exhibition and wider conversation addressing decolonisation, we invite you to a day of thought-provoking discussions and connections around contemporary art, heritage and community.
The Word, South Shields | Thursday 17 July, 9.30am-5.30pm | BOOK YOUR PLACE |
|
|
|
CONTESTED DESIRES comes to the UK with an exhibition at the Great North Museum: Hancock, 17 - 29 July 2025, presenting the work of international and local artists who reveal new perspectives on the legacies of Europe’s colonial past.
The Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle | 17 - 29 July 2025 |
For the Late Shows in Newcastle and Gateshead, D6 presented a special preview of our international programme with artists who reveal untold stories of colonialism.
|
Environmental Impact and Cultural ResponseD6 joins Contested Desires partners in Cyprus to welcome international artists, producers, cultural institutions and museums to engage in critical discussions around colonial heritage and environmental stewardship.
|
Colonialism, environment and artWith Contested Desires artists, partners and collaborators in Cyprus - an island that finds itself in the middle of the Mediterranean climate hotspot - we took a journey from colonialism via capitalism to the climate crisis.
|
2024
Andreas mallouris in residenceDuring his D6 residency, Andreas explored ideas of vulnerability and care in the context of the impact of British imperialism on the lives of queer people around the world, asking: ‘How possible is it to decolonise each molecule of institutional perception around our individuality?’
|
Elisabeth Efua Sutherland in residenceDrawing on local archives, architecture, walking tours and sites of remembrance, Contested Desires artist Elisabeth explored the possibilities of creating an embodied map of black experiences located in Newcastle.
|
Artists from the North of EnglandCongratulations to Paul Nataraj and Patrick Ziza - the artists from the North of England taking part in a programme exploring the problematic legacy of European colonialism through artistic production and exchange
|
Congratulations to the selected artistsTwenty-two exceptional artists have been selected to take part in Contested Desires: Constructive Dialogues to explore the problematic legacy of European colonialism through artistic production, community exchange and learning.
|
|
|
|
Opportunity for an External Evaluation Expert with a background in cultural exchange and participation to join Contested Desires. This freelance role involves advising on data collection and contributing to programme evaluation reports.
|
We are seeking experts to join the Contested Desires Ethics Advisory Group to help guide the programme through ethical considerations, ensuring equitable and respectful engagement with artists and communities.
|
|
|
|
Are you an artist based in Chile, Cyprus, Ghana, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia or the UK? Find out how to apply for Contested Desires: Constructive Dialogues in the participating countries.
|
Calling visual artists based in the North East of England with a deep interest in unravelling colonial legacies - be part of a programme that challenges the past to co-create more inclusive futures through contemporary art.
|
CONTESTED DESIRES: CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUES LAUNCHES IN ROMEPartners gathered in Rome to launch Contested Desires: Constructive Dialogues, a three-year programme with 17 artist residencies taking place in 12 countries to encourage understanding and reveal untold narratives about our shared colonial past.
|
The CDCD partnership extends from Europe to Chile and Ghana, including ECCOM (IT), D6:EU (CY), Interarts (ES), Xarkis (CY), BJCEM (BE), La Bonne (ES), La Fabrique (TN), H410 (NL), Creative Court (NL), Pro Progressione (HU), Museum of Civilizations (IT), Museo Egizio (IT), National Museum of Natural History and Science (PT); associate partners Cyprus University of Technology (CY), D6: Culture in Transit (UK) and Larnaca European Capital of Culture 2030 (CY); and sub-contractors the Research Centre for Museums and Galleries at the University of Leicester (UK), the Nubuke Foundation (GH) and Museo del a Memoria (CL).
