Visited in February – interesting works of art and scientific research into the life of soil and its importance to the planet. The exhibition brought together artists, scientists and other interested people to participate in a conversation about soil and its powerful potential regarding the health of the planet. Soil is increasingly being understood as a key factor in sustainability and through various approaches in art and science, this exhibition invites visitors to consider its crucial role in our planet’s long term health. “The exhibition delivers a message of hope and urgency, encouraging a more sustainable, harmonious relationship with the Earth..” (Somerset House)

The exhibition was co-curated by ‘The Land Gardeners’ Henrietta Courtauld and Bridget Elworthy, curator and writer May Rosenthal Sloane and Claire Cattrall, senior curator at Somerset house.

Most interesting for me, were some of the works on display which use the soil itself to create their art. Henrietta and Bridget had a short film on display at the exhibit, showing how they take samples of the earth and then paint them onto paper to demonstrate the wide gamut of pigments that can be found in the earth and its potential as an artists medium. Similarly, Herman De Vries who has since the 1970’s collected thousands of samples from around the world, for similar reasons but to bring awareness to us all about the vast beauty of that which is beneath our feet. The array of colours below are from samples taken on Crete.

Kim Nortons ‘Soil library archive’ has been ongoing since 2017. So far she has collected over 160 samples from places in the UK, Europe North America and Asia. She only ever takes small amounts so as to minimise impact. She mixes these into porcelain and / or clay to make small pots which is what we saw on display at the exhibition.

These works offer potentially interesting ideas for what could be used in alternative processes for photography. I am interested in the idea of using samples of earth from the areas which I make my work and using them to perhaps tone my prints or lay over the top somehow.

I have discovered a Ukrainian photographer, Valerii Veduta, who prints his photos using soil as the pigment in the gum dichromate process. He does this by candle light, as though in a bunker somewhere, in response to the current war in his home country. I like the idea of using materials of significance, in doing so adds an essence of something more personal and meaningful. His series is called ‘War Time Family Album’ and he describes it as a poem of sorts, a documentation of their lives, although way behind the front line, still trying to balance a strange ‘normality. Knowing the situation in Ukraine and seeing his prints, does give them a haunting quality. Using this old process, gives a timeless feel to the prints and I thought about family albums of old.

War Times Family Album, Veduti, V. 2024

lucindataylorEdit Profile