Syeda Sadaf Zaida’s reflections on co-created exhibition – Live in Art
In Live in Art, recently shown at the CCA as part of Refugee Festival Scotland, artist and curator Syeda Sadaf Zaida brought together diverse voices to explore identity, memory, and resilience. Co-created with 12 artists, Syeda’s reflects on her dual journey as both artist and curator for an exhibition rooted in storytelling, emotion, and care.
Photos by Karen Gordon
Live in Art, recently exhibited at the CCA, was co-created by Syeda and 12 Glasgow-based artists from Afghanistan, Colombia, Iran, Pakistan, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Curated by Syeda following a two-month residency at Common Ground, the exhibition offers a powerful expression of identity, migration, and community resilience through painting, photography, text-based art, and interactive projects.
While Live in Art is no longer on display, Syeda’s work can be seen in a new collaborative exhibition at the Hunterian Museum, Museum of Things. On show from 21 June to 19 October, the exhibition is led by Syrian artist Mousa AlNana and explores themes of history, heritage, and identity, reshaping how we see artefacts and tell our stories.
What inspired you to create Live in Art?
Syeda: Live in Art is very close to my heart because it brings together two important parts of my creative life: my art practice and my first experience curating. I’ve always been inspired by the power of storytelling through art to express things that are hard to put into words.
My piece in the exhibition reflects that deeply personal need to communicate, connect, and sometimes confront what lies beneath the surface. I approached the whole project with intention, making sure each artwork had a voice and the overall experience was meaningful, not just visually but emotionally. As both an artist and a curator, this exhibition is more than just a showcase; it's the result of persistence, collaboration and care. Behind the calmness of the final display is a story of hard work, resilience, and determination.
How did you feel creating and curating this work and seeing it at CCA?
Syeda: Through my artwork in this exhibition, I was exploring themes of memory, emotional resilience and identity but not just in a broad sense. It was also very personal: looking inward and asking myself where I’ve come from creatively, and where I want to go.
As a curator, I was also exploring a new kind of expression, building something bigger than just one piece of art. I realised how much behind-the-scenes work it takes to bring something like this to life. I learned that curating is an art form in itself. What connects my painting and the exhibition as a whole is this shared sense of movement through space, through difficulty, toward something better. I hope visitors walk away feeling not only inspired by the visuals but also connected to the deeper story of effort, strength, and creativity that lies beneath.
What personal reflections or ideas were you exploring through your photography?
Syeda: Creating my piece was both challenging and rewarding. It came from a place of deep thought and emotion and I wanted every part of it to reflect who I am as an artist. At the same time, I was curating the entire show, organising, planning, coordinating with artists, and overseeing the presentation. It was intense. Now, seeing it all come together, my own artwork on the wall alongside others I admire is incredibly moving. The space at CCA feels alive with energy, and knowing that I helped shape that, both through my hands and my heart, is something I’m really proud of.
