Baltic hosts Sasha Kurmaz as Ukrainian Artist in Residence
26 Oct 2026
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art hosts Sasha Kurmaz as Ukrainian Artist in Residence from October to November 2026.
Sasha has been selected for this residency as part of a cultural programme supporting artists and cultural professionals whose work and practice have been impacted by war and conflict. Led by the British Council and co-funded by Arts Council England, the programme is delivered across the UK in partnership with Creative Scotland and Arts Council of Wales/Wales Arts International. It brings together nine artists and cultural professionals from Lebanon, Yemen, Palestine and Ukraine for residencies at leading institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each recognised for its expertise in supporting artists across a wide range of disciplines, including contemporary art, literature and film.
During his month-long residency from October to November, Kurmaz will be based in Gateshead, and hosted by Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. The residency will provide him with an opportunity to develop his practice and foster connections between the North East UK and Ukraine, promoting cross-cultural exchange. He will have full use of Baltic’s Artist’s Studio, which will provide him with time and space to develop his artistic practice. He will also participate in a bespoke Professional Programme of networking and research opportunities, with visits to cultural institutions in the North East region and the wider UK, meeting other artists, directors and curators.
For more information about the wider programme please see: arts.britishcouncil.org/projects/artist-residency-programme
About the Artist
Sasha Kurmaz (b. 1986) is an interdisciplinary artist and photographer from Kyiv, Ukraine.
He uses photography, video, artist’s book production, collaborative and participatory practices, performative interaction, and public-space intervention in his artistic practice. His work focuses on urban space and society, their development and transformation; collective and personal trauma; the impact of war on personal and group identities; and the dynamics of relationships between the individual and power structures.
Kurmaz has participated in a range of exhibitions across Europe, including at Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej Zamek Ujazdowski, Warsaw; ZKM Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe, Germany; Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle/Heino, Netherlands; Foto Arsenal Wien, Vienna; DOX Center for Contemporary Art, Prague; Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (SKD); Centrum för fotografi (CFF), Stockholm/Gothenburg, Sweden; C/O Berlin, and many others. Kurmaz was awarded the C/O Berlin Talent Award in Germany (2016), the Kazimir Malevich Artist Award in Ukraine (2020), the Grand Prix Images Vevey in Switzerland (2023), and the Kraszna-Krausz Book Award in UK (2026).
About the Partners
British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 150 countries and reach over 700 million people. www.britishcouncil.org
Arts Council England
Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. They set out a vision in their Strategic Framework — pledging to support excellence, deliver for everybody, and reach everywhere. Arts Council England invest public money from the Government and the National Lottery to help support England's artists, cultural organisations, museums, and libraries.
