For many of us, the pandemic period may now feel like a hazy memory—of staying home, baking bread, or trying to socialise over Zoom. Yet looking back today, as of 11 March 2026, it becomes clearer that it was not merely a temporary health crisis, but a massive magnifying glass that enlarged the deep cracks already present in society.
On 12 March 2026, Sands End Arts & Community Centre in London begins hosting a powerful photography exhibition that centres this collective memory and the unequal legacy of the pandemic: COVID-19 & Beyond.
Making the Invisible Visible
Born from an international open call launched by Photojournalism Hub director Cinzia D’Ambrosi during the height of the pandemic, this exhibition is now coming together in a physical space for the first time. Its central question is simple yet piercing: The pandemic may be over, but where were we left?
Through the testimony of photographs, the exhibition reveals that the pandemic did not affect everyone equally; instead, it deepened existing injustices. From London neighbourhoods to global scales, we witness—through the lenses of artists—how issues such as the housing crisis, migrant rights, women’s rights, and mental health turned into impossible knots during the pandemic.
The Unequal Face of the Pandemic in Numbers
The exhibition’s emphasis on “structural inequality” is not just an artistic interpretation—it is grounded in concrete data. Some striking examples from the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) and public health records:
- Ethnic Disparities: During the first wave, Black African men were 3.7 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than White men. Bangladeshi men faced a similar threefold increased risk.
- Socio-Economic Divide: Death rates in the most deprived areas were more than twice as high as in the wealthiest regions.
- Women’s Rights and Domestic Violence: Calls to helplines rose between 25% and 50% in some areas during lockdowns—proving that “stay home” did not mean “stay safe” for everyone.
A Multidimensional Narrative
The exhibition is not limited to photographs on walls. Curated by Cinzia D’Ambrosi and Ella Khalek, the selection also includes visual responses gathered from community workshops and a research-focused online diary. Among the more than 20 international photographers featured are Angela Christofilou, Erhan Us, Flaviana Frascogna, and Thabo Jaiyesimi.
As director Cinzia D’Ambrosi puts it: “The struggle did not end when the locks were opened.”
The exhibition was made possible through crowdfunding and support from local councils. If you’re in London or passing through, I highly recommend becoming part of this act of witnessing:
Opening Reception: 12 March, 18:00 – 20:30
Other Dates:
13 March: 12:00 – 17:30
14 March: 12:00 – 20:00
15 March: 11:00 – 15:00
Venue: Sands End Arts & Community Centre, Peterborough Road, London SW6 3EZ
