Khadija Cecile Niang
Bio
Khadija Cecile Niang is a Norwegian-born Senegalese artist based in London.
She completed her MFA in Fine Art (Painting) at the Slade School of Fine Art in 2025 and won the Ingram Prize that year. She graduated from the University of Reading with a BA in Art and English Literature in 2020, with her degree show nominated for the Platform Graduate Award and presented as a solo exhibition with Modern Art Oxford.
Her work has been exhibited and screened at galleries and venues including the Barbican, V&A, Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, The River and Rowing Museum, Wells Malting, London Lighthouse Gallery, HOME by Ronan McKenzie and Lewisham Homes Film Festival.
Artist Statement
My practice explores the interconnection between nature, my body and heritage. My maternal ancestors were fishers, and this lineage has been passed down through oral tradition as a strong part of my identity. Growing up with this coastal connection, I have always found myself drawn to the rhythms of natural bodies of water. Surfing and swimming are central to my personal life and artistic practice, embodying a collaboration where I learn to listen to the waves and currents, build connections and foster empathy.
I extend this collaboration to the materials I work with. I let intuition guide me while allowing materials their agency—finding that delicate balance between intention and surrender. As with surfing, this practice is about learning and adapting. I remain open to the unexpected.