SoulsINQUEST

SoulsINQUEST uses photography and writing as a lens onto state violence, death, grief, and resistance. The exhibition is an embodiment of family resistance that refuses to be silenced, misrepresented, or forgotten and a powerful act of defiance in response to decades of injustice. It is a collaboration between eighteen members of bereaved families, photographer Sarah Booker and INQUEST – an organisation which provides specialist, comprehensive advice on contentious state related deaths and their investigation. 

Founded in 1981 by bereaved families and campaigners, INQUEST is the only organisation in England and Wales that provides a specialist, comprehensive advice service on contentious state related deaths and their investigation. In recent years, INQUEST has been supporting the families of Katie Allan and Sheku Bayoh as part of a wider examination of the post-death processes in Scotland. As part of INQUEST’s anniversary project – Unlocking the Truth for 40 Years – Sarah worked alongside eighteen family members, all of whom have been traumatically bereaved due to state violence. Together, they created eighteen visual and textual works. 

SoulsINQUEST demonstrates that creative co-production is a powerful tool for families to take control of their stories and challenge harmful and misleading public assertions made about their loved ones. We invite you to join in this creative moment to publicly reflect on family voice in the fight for justice. The exhibition is presented alongside a series of events, including a panel discussion, film screening and workshop.

The first iteration of this project took place at 198 Contemporary Art and Learning and was curated by Languid Hands.