Rayan Elnayal is a Sudanese artist, designer, and educator based in London, with a background in architecture. In 2020, she transitioned from traditional practice to an alternative one that fosters a more equitable and creative approach to design but also nurtures her artistic pursuits. She is also the co-founder and director of Space Black, a collective of Black professionals in the built environment, dedicated to imagining alternative spatial futures for marginalised communities.

Her artistic journey began with her MArch thesis project, where she studied the use of magical realism by postcolonial novelists and artists to convey complex experiences and make them emotionally resonant. She was particularly drawn to magical realism as a tool for envisioning alternative, more equitable futures within speculative architectural practices. She highlights the critical role speculative design plays in shaping our future built environments, while emphasising how access to these influential roles remains restricted due to various systemic barriers. She now integrates the technical skills she developed during her architectural studies—such as 3D modelling and digital collaging to design her own desired futuristic
environments.

The collection showcased at Al Bustan features two series of three artworks: The first is a new triptych created in 2025, presenting floating axonometric views of segments of the traditional Sudanese home. The second series reimagine these segments in a futuristic context. Together, these works delve into her personal vision of futuristic Sudanese spaces and the desire to establish an alternative futuristic aesthetic that still honours her heritage and way of life.

As always, her pieces invite viewers to step into these imagined spaces and explore them. Her work challenges us to reflect on our personal attitudes toward futurism and futuristic aesthetics, while reminding us that our envisioned future built environments can honour our heritages, communities, and shared joy.