The exhibition is centered on her recent installation CONGREGATION, shown for a week at St Mary Le Strand in October, created in partnership with The Courtauld, King’s College London, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
The show unfolds across three immersive spaces. Visitors first enter a reimagined version of Devlin’s South London studio, displaying sketches, research materials, and 50 charcoal and chalk portraits created over a four-month period. Each portrait represents an individual seeking refuge in London, Devlin began each chalk and charcoal portrait with a silent, 45-minute drawing session, unaware of her sitter’s personal story or circumstances. After this initial phase, she paused to listen as the individual, now her co-author, shared their story. Devlin then resumed the drawing, this time while listening to podcasts that explored the conflict or hardship from which her subject had sought sanctuary. As the stories of these individuals unfold, they shaped the artwork, inviting viewers to reflect on the dynamics of identity and empathy.
Each participant co-authored the portrait by holding a symbolic gift—a box containing a projected animated sequence, uniquely envisioned with Devlin’s artistic interpretation.
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The second room showcases CONGREGATION, a projection-mapped installation. The layered portraits here are accompanied by a specially commissioned soundscape by Polyphonia, featuring poetry by JJ Bola and music extracts from Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, the soundtrack to the drawing sessions. It culminates in a reworking of Anton Bruckner’s sacred motet Locus Iste (This Place) which fuses the voices of the London Bulgarian Choir, The South African Cultural Gospel Choir UK, Genesis Sixteen and The Choir of King’s College London, blending cultural influences and reflecting the diverse backgrounds of the portrait subjects.
The projected film sequence has been created in close collaboration with film maker Ruth Hogben and choreographer Botis Seva and features dancer Joshua Shanny-Wynter.
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The final room introduces a selection of new works, merging technology and art through LED screens and projection-mapped portraits.
Curated by Ekow Eshun, in partnership with The Courtauld, King’s College London & UNHCR UK
This work has been made possible by the very generous support of Bloomberg Philanthropies. Interviews with Es Devlin about the making of the work are available on the Bloomberg Connects App.
The Courtauld has released an exhibition catalogue, available at The Courtauld shop for £25, with £20 from each sale going to UNHCR UK. Additionally, a series of limited-edition prints and postcards inspired by the exhibition are available, with proceeds supporting UNHCR.