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 (CDCD) 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, CDCD 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.
Contested Desires: Constructive Dialogues (CDCD) 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, CDCD 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.
News and opportunties
Contested desires exhibition, Great north musuem: HancockContested 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.
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CONTESTED DESIRES AT THE LATE SHOWSFor the Late Shows in Newcastle and Gateshead, D6 presented a special preview of our international programme with artists who reveal untold stories of colonialism.
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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.
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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.
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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?’
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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.
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Artists from the North of EnglandCongratulations to Paul Nataraj and Patrick Ngabonziza - the artists from the North of England taking part in a programme exploring the problematic legacy of European colonialism through artistic production and exchange
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
