Krio Collective: Usai Wi De, The Collective's first exhibition

Jul 10
2 min read

Krio Collective: Usai Wi De is the first public exhibition presented by Krio Collective, founded by Habib Hajallie to bring together British-Sierra Leonean creatives making work shaped by Sierra Leonean heritage, Britishness and identity.

Supported by Arts Council England, the exhibition presents work by Amanda Holiday, Abu B Yillah, Koehun Aziz-Kamara, Habib Hajallie and Hadiru Mahdi, known as Brother Portrait.

Working in visual art, poetry, photography, film, performance and archival research, their work has been recognised through major exhibitions, fellowships, publishing, institutional collections, film and live performance.

The title, Usai Wi De, is a Krio phrase that translates as “Where are we?”. It carries questions of place, belonging and direction. Across the exhibition, these questions are explored through the shared intersection of British and Sierra Leonean identity.

The works explore memory, language, history, migration, identity and cultural inheritance. Visitors will encounter photographs from Sierra Leone, printed poems, portraiture, drawing, mixed media, film and spoken word.

Held at The Old Street Gallery, next door to Photobook Cafe, 3 Leonard Circus, London EC2A 4NA, the exhibition’s launch takes place on Saturday 8 August, 2–7pm, with poetry readings, spoken contributions and a screening of Somewhere Between by Abu B Yillah.

Krio Collective: Usai Wi De runs from 8–15 August 2026. Admission is free. Opening reception 8^th August 2-7pm.