Zineb Sedira talks to Ben Luke about the cultural influences that have shaped her life and work — from writers and filmmakers to musicians and fellow artists. Born in Paris in 1963 to Algerian parents and based in London since 1986, Sedira works across film, photography, installation and sculpture to explore themes of memory, identity, and the intersection of personal, collective, and historical experiences. Drawing from her French, Algerian, and British heritage, she delves into issues of representation, language, and family.
Her art mines her singular autobiography, reflecting on colonial histories and their contemporary legacies with emotional depth and political nuance. In this conversation, she discusses her early influences, including conceptual artist Mary Kelly, the work of JMW Turner, and her admiration for Algerian painter Baya. Sedira reflects on her fascination with the 1969 Pan-African Festival in Algiers, a significant theme in her work, and her enduring love for jazz and ska music.
