Karimah Ashadu: Tendered

Fondazione In Between Art Film and Camden Art Centre are delighted to announce Tendered, the first institutional solo exhibition in the UK by artist and filmmaker Karimah Ashadu (UK/Nigeria, b. 1985), winner of the Silver Lion for Promising Young Artist in the Venice Biennale 2024.

Tendered is the second project launched under Unison, a biennial initiative promoted by Fondazione In Between Art Film to commission and produce moving image–based exhibitions in partnership with international public institutions. Founded by Beatrice Bulgari, Fondazione In Between Art Film promotes the culture of moving image and supports international artists, museums and theorists that explore the dialogue between disciplines and time-based media.

Curated by Alessandro Rabottini and Leonardo Bigazzi of Fondazione In Between Art Film, the exhibition includes the premiere of MUSCLE (2025)—a newly commissioned moving-image installation—as well as a series of new sculptures conceived especially for the show that reference objects and environments within the film. MUSCLE is an intimate portrait of body builders in the heart of Lagos’ slums striving to attain a hyper-masculine ideal, continuing the artist’s research into issues of socio-economic independence and patriarchy within the context of West African culture and society. MUSCLE is commissioned and produced by Camden Art Centre, Fondazione In Between Art Film, and The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago, where the exhibition will be presented in autumn 2026.

In addition, the exhibition features a selection of earlier moving image works also set in Lagos—King of Boys (Abattoir of Makoko) (2015), a window into the inner workings of the Makoko abattoir, and Cowboy (2022), a two-channel film that follows a man who has dedicated his life to the care of horses—configured within discrete environments that extend aspects of the films into the viewing space. The show takes visitors on a journey through the range of Ashadu’s practice, from the intimate to the expansive, featuring works that form a cinematic narrative of bodies and land—an undulating scenario of urban subcultures, quotidian labour, and our relationship to nature.

Tendered is accompanied by the first reference monograph dedicated to the artist, edited by Bianca Stoppani, editor at Fondazione In Between Art Film, with Rabottini and Bigazzi. Published by Mousse, the monograph features contributions from Karimah Ashadu; Myriam Ben Salah, executive director and chief curator at The Renaissance Society, Chicago; Leonardo Bigazzi, curator at Fondazione In Between Art Film; Gina Buenfeld-Murley, curator at Camden Art Centre, London; Martin Clark, director at Camden Art Centre, London; Dr. Clive Chijioke Nwonka, associate professor in film, culture and society, UCL, London; Alessandro Rabottini, artistic director at Fondazione In Between Art Film; Bettina Steinbrügge, director at Mudam Luxembourg; and Arese Uwuoruya, assistant curator at Camden Art Centre, London.

Karimah Ashadu is among the shortlisted artists for the Film London Jarman Award 2025.

For international media enquiries, please contact Sam Talbot: Matthew Brown, matthew@sam-talbot.com / T +44 (0) 7989 446557

For Italian media enquiries, please contact Lara Facco P&C: Lara Facco, lara@larafacco.com / T +39 349 2529989 / Marianita Santarossa, marianita@larafacco.com / T +39 333 422 4032

The cultural programme of Fondazione In Between Art Film is focused on the role of contemporary moving images and the support of international artists, institutions, and research centres exploring the dialogue between different disciplines. The Fondazione investigates the boundaries of time-based media—film, video, performance and installation—through commissioning and producing new works, organising exhibitions and public programmes, collaborating with international institutions, and producing editorial projects. The Fondazione continues and expands the work of the production company In Between Art Film, which from 2012–2019 supported video and filmic productions by international artists and directors.

Since 1965 Camden Art Centre has been a place for art and the people that make it. Rooted in our local community and internationally acclaimed, we foster a sense of belonging and a deeper relationship to art. We aim to push boundaries and connect people to their own creativity through our exhibitions, residencies, events and learning programmes. Originally built as a public library, the building now combines historic architecture with open, modern spaces and a secluded garden with free entry for all. Camden Art Centre has always led the way supporting artists and audiences to create and engage with the most vital and inspiring contemporary art and culture today.