Ep 25: Art & Archive: Reclaiming Hidden Histories with Sana Ginwalla

About this episode

Sana Ginwalla discusses her innovative work in creating accessible art spaces and the importance of engaging with counter archives to reclaim hidden histories.

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.

People in this episode

Host: Gherdai Hassell

Guest: Sana Ginwalla

Topics covered

• art and archive
• hidden histories
• social change
• community engagement
• cultural resistance
• visual culture

Keywords

• art
• archive
• social change
• community
• cultural resistance
• visual culture
• history
• Africa
• diaspora

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Zambia Belonging, Everyday Lusaka

Places: India, Africa, diaspora