Most conversations about art and identity overlook one crucial element: the power of counter archiving to challenge dominant narratives. Sana Ginwalla’s journey from discovering her family's hidden photographic archives to creating Zambia Belonging reveals how reclaiming and reinterpreting history can unlock stories of migration, resistance, and community that often go unheard. Her work demonstrates that archives are not static, they're living, breathing sites of resistance that reshape our understanding of the past and inform the future.You'll discover:
- How informal family archives can serve as powerful tools for cultural preservation and resistance
- The concept of the "counter archive" as a means to reclaim marginalized histories
- The role of visual storytelling in challenging stereotypes and Standard narratives about Africa's diverse identities
- Practical frameworks for democratizing access to archives and making them a participatory process
- The importance of shifting from fearing failure to embracing ambition through intentional action
In this episode, Sana shares deeply personal stories, from her serendipitous encounters with pioneering photographers in India, to her innovative work in creating accessible art spaces that foster community and dialogue. We break down how her projects, like Zambia Belonging and Everyday Lusaka, are not just archives but active catalysts for social change, inspiring new generations to see themselves reflected in history.Ignoring the potential of the archive as a site for critical, fictional, and activist engagement risks perpetuating incomplete narratives that marginalize vibrant stories from Africa and its diaspora. Conversely, engaging with these counter archives opens opportunities for truth-telling, cultural resistance, and forging solidarity across borders.Perfect for artists, historians, activists, and anyone interested in how visual culture can challenge power, this episode offers a compelling blueprint for transforming archival silence into a symphony of stories. Whether you're building your own project or seeking fresh perspectives on identity, Sana's insights will inspire you to rethink how history, memory, and community intersect through the lens of art and activism.Join us to explore how created and found archives can be the foundation for more inclusive, dynamic narratives that speak to the future while acknowledging complex histories. Your next breakthrough in cultural storytelling starts here.
SANA GINWALLA BIOGRAPHY
Sana Ginwalla (b. 1996) is an Indian-Zambian artist, curator, writer and lecturer born, raised and based in Lusaka. She is the founder of the Everyday Lusaka Gallery and Zambia Belonging counter-archive – curatorial and artistic outputs dedicated to shifting towards a more considered visual representation of Zambia’s
past and present to build a contemporary archive for future generations. Her work with these platforms has been presented at the India Art Fair Young Collector’s Program (2025), University of Cambridge (2024, 2023), the African Biennale of Photography in Bamako (2022, 2024), Stranger’s House Gallery, Mumbai (2024),
the Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre (2023), and the University of Oxford (2023, 2025).
By engaging the public in her exhibitions, Ginwalla’s curatorial work often transcends the protocols of gallery and museum spaces through participatory installations. She is drawn towards bodies of work that explore heritage, memory and the belonging. Working in this way allows her to further understand
her identity and place in the world and is what she aims to facilitate for others too. Sana is the author of Zambia’s first photo-book of archival street photographs from Lusaka. She is currently lecturing and pursuing her Masters in Creative Arts at the Open Window University for Creative Arts.
You can reach Sana here:
info@sanaginwalla.com
Website
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