The Krio Collective

Krio Collective is formed of five British-Sierra Leonean creatives; Abu Yillah, Amanda Holiday, Koehun Aziz-Kamara, Hadiru Mahdi and me, Habib Hajallie. Working across visual art, poetry, photography and film, Krio Collective looks to amplify the visibility of Sierra Leonean contemporary practice and establish a foundation for sustained artistic discourse & support.

The Collective began in early 2025 following an open call for Sierra Leonean creatives in the UK. The initial programme also received Arts Council support but was halted after our first group meeting following the devastating stillbirth of my daughter, Sadie. After taking necessary time away to grieve, and with the continued commitment of the participating artists, I am now able to facilitate a refined 2026 programme focused on connection through lived experience of being both West African & British.

The project explores how British and Sierra Leonean identities intersect through histories of migration, colonialism, language, amongst other themes. Krio, the language spoken by most Sierra Leoneans and my first language, remains central to Sierra Leonean cultural identity. Its history and continued relevance are central to Krio Collective.

The strength of the project is that we are coming from different disciplines, but through several group meetings there is a shared cultural thread running through the conversations.

Abu’s practice moves between poetry, theatre, performance and writing. His work explores identity, migration, fatherhood, relationships and the experience of navigating life between Sierra Leonean and British culture.

Amanda’s practice brings together art, research, and writing. Her work engages with drawing, history, representation and the ways cultural memory can be explored through visual practice and poetry.

Koehun works across photography, film, research and storytelling. She is concerned with cultural preservation. Her current ideas are rooted in Sierra Leonean life, memory, place and the process of building narratives.

Hadiru’s work brings another important perspective to the group through writing, photography and visual art. His fluid practice explores identity, history and how stories are carried, shared and understood.

My work centres on portraiture, using ballpoint pen on antique books and maps to explore identity, heritage and the visibility of figures who have often been pushed to the margins of traditional British portraiture.

We have been, and will continue, meeting regularly to share our respective processes, discuss ideas and to support each other’s development where appropriate. Krio Collective 2026 is an Arts Council England funded project that will culminate in a multidisciplinary exhibition at Old Street Gallery in London from 8 to 15 August 2026.

After the exhibition, I hope that Krio Collective can grow as a peer-led space for; sustained dialogue, exchange of ideas & skills, and a way for us to preserve and celebrate our shared heritage.