SADĀ | صدى | Echo — Art Exhibition Opening Night, hosted by Reed Smith LLP, 24 March 2026

‍On 24 March 2026, Forward Thinking co-facilitated the opening night of SADĀ | صدى | Echo, an art exhibition hosted by our longstanding partners Reed Smith LLP at their offices at Blossom Yard in London.

‍The exhibition was curated by Katie Bone and brought together five exceptional women artists — Dr. Sara Choudhrey, Maysaloun Faraj, Amber Khokhar, Farwa Moledina, and Lulwah Al Homoud — each of whose work explores Islamic visual heritage through contemporary practice. The leading piece, Al Salam (‘Peace’), set the tone for the collection as a whole.

‍The exhibition spoke directly to Forward Thinking’s work in breaking down barriers and creating spaces for dialogue at a time of profound global uncertainty. The ways in which culture can serve as a bridge in times of crisis were felt acutely on the night. Lulwah Al Homoud’s work had arrived from Riyadh despite shipping delays caused by regional disruption, but she herself was unable to travel. Lulwah joined a Q&A panel with the artists via video link, a powerful illustration of how conflict constrains human connection, even as art continues to reach across divides.

The opening brought together the artists, colleagues from Reed Smith, and figures from across Forward Thinking’s diverse network spanning NGOs, government, diplomacy, and beyond. Further information on the exhibition, which is scheduled for 25 March–1 April 2026, can be found at sadacontemporary.co.uk.

An onlooker passes Dr. Sara Choudrey’s piece, ‘Zaydaan - A Matter of Time (I)’

Hana Sattar, Trainee Solicitor at Reed Smith, and Richard Hakes, Global Chair of Reed Smith's Transportation Industry Group, welcome attendees with an opening address. They were joined by the curator, Katie Bone, and Forward Thinking’s Director of Programmes, Jordan Morgan.