Get ready to dig deep into the world of SOIL: The World at Your Feet! This exciting exhibition is co-curated by the dynamic duo of Henrietta Courtauld and Bridget Elworthy from the Land Gardeners, along with curator and writer May Rosenthal Sloan, and the brilliant Claire Catterall, Senior Curator at Somerset House Trust. Together, they’re bringing together a fabulous mix of visionary artists and thinkers from around the globe to showcase the incredible power and potential of soil!
Did you know that soil is a superstar of biodiversity? It contains a whopping 25% of the Earth’s known biodiversity and 75% of its terrestrial biomass. Not to mention, it’s a natural fertility powerhouse that regulates our watercourses and climate. But let’s face it, soil often gets a bad rap—reduced to just “dirt” and overlooked. It’s high time we give soil the spotlight it deserves, as it represents a vast array of processes that are absolutely essential for human life. Within this magical medium, you’ll find thousands of species of fungi, bacteria, and even single-celled predators like amoebae—there’s still so much for scientists to uncover!
SOIL is all about the connections between soil and life. It brings together a stunning range of stories and responses from artists, writers, and scientists worldwide. The exhibition combines sensory artworks, historical objects, scientific artefacts, and eye-opening documentary evidence. It aims to inspire and educate visitors about the power and fragility of soil, highlighting its fundamental role in human civilization and its remarkable potential to heal our planet.
With a hopeful and urgent message, this exhibition encourages us all to cultivate a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with the Earth. So, prepare to be inspired, amazed, and optimistic as you dig beneath the surface of a world you thought you knew!
Featuring over 50 works across diverse media, including exciting new commissions from artists like Sam Williams, Something & Son, and Semantica (Jemma Foster and Camilla French) with Juan Cortés and Vivien Sansour, this multifaceted exhibition promises to take you on an uplifting journey through various landscapes. Divided into three thematic sections—‘Life Below Ground,’ ‘Life Above Ground,’ and ‘Hope – The Story of SOIL’—the exhibition tells the story of humanity, showcasing the transformational marks left on our planet by geopolitical, economic, and social histories. Each theme offers a thought-provoking interpretation, bursting with feelings of movement, growth, and life. You'll also find poignant social and environmental narratives recounted through the works of artists like Jackie Summell and Fernando Laposse.
In collaboration with filmmaker Joya Berrow, the Land Gardeners have crafted In-Focus Zones sprinkled throughout the exhibition. These special areas will feature insights from scientists and experts to clarify essential soil concepts. Artists like Herman de Vries, Miranda Whall, and Ana Mendieta aim to highlight soil as the ultimate interconnector, showcasing the delicate balance between humans, non-humans, and the soil itself.
And let’s not forget the amazing array of artists participating in this exhibition, including Anya Gallaccio, Asad Raza, and Wim van Egmond, to name just a few!
SOIL: The World at Your Feet will be held at the Embankment Galleries at Somerset House in London, from January 23 to April 13, 2025. Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate the magic of soil! Find out more
