Open Call Launched for Egyptian Photography Exhibition in London

Hekayyatna, a London-based production house focused on participatory cultural programming and storytelling, has partnered with the Egypt Exploration Society, a British non-profit dedicated to researching and preserving Egyptian cultural heritage, to launch an open call for Egyptian and diaspora photographers.

The initiative invites submissions for ‘Behind the Scenes’, a group exhibition set to take place in June 2026 at the Egypt Exploration Society in London.

The month-long exhibition will place contemporary photography in dialogue with archival images from the society’s collections, focusing on the Egyptian workers whose labour has supported archaeology and tourism across generations.

Curated by Halima Ibrahim, the exhibition will present between 10 and 15 contemporary works alongside selected archival photographs, creating a visual exchange centred on themes of labour, memory and belonging.

The programme highlights roles often positioned behind the scenes, including tour guides, vendors, drivers, doormen and excavation workers.

Photographers are invited to submit up to three images responding to themes such as hidden labour, Egyptology and tourism, either through direct engagement with archival material or through broader conceptual approaches.

Submissions are open to Egyptian photographers based in Egypt and the diaspora, with a deadline set for May 8th, 2026.

Selected participants will exhibit their work during the programme and will have the opportunity to sell pieces throughout the exhibition period.