A NEW public art project, Breath is Invisible, launches today in Notting Hill with an installation of works by Khadija Saye, the young Gambian-British artist who tragically lost her life in the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

It’s the first of three site-specific exhibitions that comprise the project; later this summer artists Martyn Ware, Zachary Eastwood-Bloom and Joy Gregory will present new commissions that have been created in partnership with the local community.

Working collaboratively with young creatives and arts organisations in the area, Breath is Invisible was born out of an urgency to address issues of social inequality and injustice.

The brainchild of patron and business woman Eiesha Bharti Pasricha, Breath is Invisible is curated by Sigrid Kirk.

The project was launched by David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham and Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, who knew Saye.

The project’s community partners include Amplify Studios, The Harrow Club and The Khadija Saye Into Arts Programme which also launched today.

Founded by Nicola Green and Into University, The Khadija Saye Into Arts Programme aims to address the lack of diversity in the UK arts sector by providing opportunities for young people from BAME and disadvantaged communities across the UK.

In this space we breathe is an installation of nine large-scale prints of Saye’s most celebrated works shown across the façade of 236 Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill.

Exploring the migration of traditional Gambian spiritual practices, Saye said of the works: ‘The series was created from a personal need for spiritual grounding after experiencing trauma.

“The search for what gives meaning to our lives and what we hold ontoin times of despair and life changing challenges.”

Portfolio sets of Saye’s silk screen prints will be available for sale, with the proceeds going to The Khadija Saye Into Arts Programme and the Estate of Khadija Saye.