Contact:
Email: asiud001@gold.ac.uk
Instagram: @janusz_santana
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/arti-siudem
Based in:
London, UK
Also involved with:
Centre for Visual Anthropology at Goldsmiths, University of London (filmmaker in residence / visiting researcher, 2024-2025)
Rethinking Eastern Europe collective (2024-currently)
Bio:
I am a London-based queer visual artist, researcher, experimental filmmaker and events programmer. My creative practice is a remix of moving image, animation, desktop recordings, archive footage and critical theory that aims to challenge social norms and make abstract concepts a bit more digestible. A reoccurring motif in my multimedia work is the exploration of concepts such as for example: identity, modernity, progress, hyperreality and generally reflections on the ethics of representation and points of reference for generating knowledge, often in the context of my home country of Poland. I am a big fan of long-term oriented, collaborative film-research projects that are made and distributed with a community focus. As an events organiser, I curate and facilitate public events that promote media literacy, advocate for social justice, and platform emerging creatives and researchers. I am also an avid backpacker.
Background:
MA Visual Anthropology, Goldsmiths, University of London — 2025-currently
BA Anthropology & Visual Practice, Goldsmiths, University of London — 2021-2024
Context:
Arti is a 2024 graduate of BA Anthropology & Visual Practice at Goldsmiths, University of London. With intent to stay connected with fellow visual anthropology uni mates who were also into making movies, Arti decided to set up a platform and an online archive which then grew into KONTEKST collective.
KONTEKST:
2023: Arti organised the first Visual Anthropology Films film showcase event to test out if the project would gather audience, screened their London Trans+ Pride Archive Film at the event, set up the website and social media;
2024: founded KONTEKST collective, facilitated meetings, drafted the manifesto, ran online platforms;
2025: facilitated KONTEKST Film Fest: ARCHIVE (programming, curation, admin, design, promo, comms), facilitated KONTEKST Open Feedback Sessions, organised the Desktop Documentary and Digital Autoethnography event which featured their film The Status of Eastness.
Arti is currently a member of KONTEKST’s admin team.
PROJECTS:
The Status of Eastness (2024-ongoing)
video · 19:53 · UK, Poland · Polish & English
Experimental collaborative video essay exploring the perceptions of Eastern Europe by Westerners and by Polish people. The clip is a part of an ongoing film-research project exploring the Polish identity in the “modernising” world.
Screened at the Desktop Documentary and Digital Autoethnography event (Apr 2025).
Read more about the project and see the trailer here.
London Trans+ Pride Archive Film (2021-ongoing)
video · 9:52 · UK · English & Spanish
Ongoing & open community video project documenting the annual London Trans+ Pride protests and their importance to the trans+ community.
Featured at Visual Anthropology Films (Nov 2023)
Read more and watch the full film here.
EVENTS:
Programmer:
KONTEKST & CVA Public Programme - Autumn 2025
Oct-Dec 2025 · Goldsmiths University, London (UK)
A monthly event series spotlighting early-career researchers and multisensory artists who do visual anthropology by other means and reimagine the discipline for social impact.
Learn more about the event series here.
Programmer & panelist:
Desktop Documentary and Digital Autoethnography
workshop & film screening · 21.04.2025 · Atlas Cinema, London (UK)
Workshop about the theory and practices in contemporary experimental desktop documentary cinema followed by a screening of two experimental desktop films.
Learn more and access the workshop recording here.