ENVIRONMENT
Take a look at the work of artists who explore the environment as a subject. From our natural surroundings to the issues that influence our ability to coexist on this planet
Defining Environment
The environment is something we are very familiar with. It's everything that makes up our surroundings and affects our ability to live on the earth - the air we breathe, the water that covers most of the earth's surface, the plants and animals around us, and much more.
Environmentalism
Although the environmental movement can trace its origins to the industrial revolution of the 19th century, it was really from the 1960s that the environmental movement gathered momentum as part of a dramatic groundswell of activism related to the issues of human rights.
Environmentalists advocate the sustainable management of resources and stewardship of the environment through changes in public policy and individual behavior. In its recognition of humanity as a participant in (not enemy of) ecosystems, the movement is centered on ecology, health, and human rights.
Our relationship to our environment, especially to nature, has provided rich subject matter for contemporary artists ranging from politically engaged practices to more poetic reflections on our surroundings.
Art and Environmentalism
Gustav Metzger was born of Polish-Jewish parents in Nuremberg, Germany and brought to England as a child refugee in 1939. For over 50 years, Metzger created art that protested against the destructive effects of globalised capitalism on the environment, amongst other causes. In the face of this reality, Metzger's response was to devise work that had auto-destruction or auto-creation as the creative principle, so called Auto-Destructive Art of which he was the founder.
Tsumeb Fragments (2015/2015) by Otobong NkangaModern Art Oxford
Otobong Nkanga explores the environment of her native Nigeria. She creates landscapes with clean, hard-edged lines that address the political and ecological impacts of Nigeria's oil industry.
Viral Landscapes (1989/1989) by Helen ChadwickModern Art Oxford
Helen Chadwick's 'Viral Landscapes' was a personal and passionate response to the coastal landscape of Pembrokeshire, set in the context of a growing concern about ecological pollution.
Back to nature
Many contemporary artists adapt forms of nature and use elements and materials from the natural world directly in their work.
KALEIDOSCOPE: It's Me to the World (2016/2016) by Mohamed Qasim Ashfaq, Richard LongModern Art Oxford
Richard Long's practice - ranging across land based natural sculpture, photography and text - is a direct response to the environments he has walked over, opening a heightened space for reflection.
Walking a Labyrinth (1971-12-09/1971-12-23) by Richard LongModern Art Oxford
A letter from Richard Long to the Director of the Museum of Modern Art Oxford (1970) by Richard LongModern Art Oxford
To enable me to fix my attention on any one of these symbols I was to imagine that I was looking at the colors as I might see them on a moving picture screen (2014/2014) by Hannah RickardsModern Art Oxford
Hannah Rickards explores the elusive landscape of perception and language, meticulously examining and deconstructing natural phenomena such as thunder, to investigate the nature of cognition.
Contemporary Art of Today: Environment (2017) by Modern Art OxfordModern Art Oxford
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Modern Art Oxford is supported by Arts Council England and Oxford City Council.
The content provided in this series of exhibits and films is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. The exhibits and films are not designed to be used as complete analysis on these subjects. Images sourced for the exhibits and films are copyright to their respectful owners. Full credit information is listed in the details section linked to each image. Unless otherwise noted, the content provided is © Modern Art Oxford. All rights reserved. The content may not be copied in part or full without permission. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and to obtain their permission for the use of copyright material. Modern Art Oxford would be grateful to hear from any interested parties info@modernartoxford.org.uk
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