Lisson x RCA present Wild Woods Forlorn symposium with John Akomfrah

Lisson Gallery and the Royal College of Art (RCA) present a free, one-day symposium celebrating John Akomfrah’s Arcadia at the Natural History Museum and the forthcoming publication of Wild Woods Forlorn.

Taking place across the Natural History Museum and the RCA’s Kensington campus on 26 November, the programme brings together artists, curators, writers and researchers for a series of discussions exploring Akomfrah’s practice, the ideas behind his work and the research informing the publication.

The day opens with an introduction to Arcadia by David Lawson (Smoking Dogs Films) and Ossian Ward (Director of Content, Lisson), followed by opening remarks from Ekow Eshun and Chantal Faust. The programme continues with a curators’ panel featuring Zoé Whitley, Tarini Malik and Julian Knoxx, alongside a discussion of Wild Woods Forlorn with David Lawson, Ekow Eshun and Ossian Ward. The afternoon includes a presentation by recipients of the John Akomfrah Research Fellowship, before concluding with a keynote conversation between John Akomfrah and film programmer and author Roisin Tapponi.

Programme

8.30–9am: Arrival Natural History Museum, Queen’s Gate Road Entrance, London SW7 5BD

9.30am: Introduction to Arcadia With David Lawson (Smoking Dogs Films and co-editor of Wild Woods Forlorn) and Ossian Ward (Director of Content, Lisson).

10.30am: Walk to the Royal College of Art Approximately 12–15 minutes.

10.45am: Tea and coffee Art Lounge Bar, Royal College of Art.

11am: Opening remarks Ekow Eshun (editor of Wild Woods Forlorn) and Chantal Faust (Dean of the RCA School of Arts & Humanities).

1:15am – 1pm: Curators Panel discussion

Zoé Whitley (independent curator, RCA alumnus), Tarini Malik (Shane Akeroyd curator of British Pavilion, 2024), Sophie J Williamson (curator, Arcadia at NHM)

1–2pm: Lunch

2–2.30pm: Wild Woods Forlorn discussion David Lawson, Ekow Eshun and Ossian Ward in conversation about the forthcoming publication and its research.

2.30–3pm: RCA BLK & John Akomfrah Research Fellowship Presentation by fellowship recipients and artists Emily Mitchell and Canaan Brown, introduced by Emily Moore (co-founder of RCA BLK and symposium co-host).

3–4.45pm: Keynote conversation with John Akomfrah and Roisin Tapponi A conversation between artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah and film programmer and author Roisin Tapponi.

5pm: Drinks reception Art Lounge Bar, Royal College of Art.

Event details

26 November 2026 9.30am–5pm

Natural History Museum and Royal College of Art, Kensington, London

Free admission. RSVP essential via Eventbrite.

For accessibility requirements, please contact the RCA team at rca-blk@rca.ac.uk.