In spring 2024, Bergen Kunsthall presents the comprehensive thematic exhibition Earth Works, which explores the role of art in the history of ecological resistance movements in the Nordic countries. At a time when ecological issues - and their relationship to questions of social justice and colonial conditions - are becoming increasingly urgent, this project examines artistic work that engages with nature from a variety of perspectives, featuring works by visual artists, writers, and activists working individually or in groups, including the artist Jenna Sutela.
Nature is one of the central themes of Nordic art history. Through landscape painting and an interest in impressive geographical features, artists in the 19th century developed their artistry. In Norway, images of coastal and mountain landscapes became a pillar of national identity and are still used in advertising today. On the other hand, since the 1960s, the precariousness of nature has become an important issue for many artists concerned about the environment and the future of nature and the people who depend on these resources. In this exhibition, Bergen Kunsthall explores the relevance of nature to artistic debates, how one approaches nature, and how it is conceptualized and constructed: What do artworks tell us about our changing relationship with nature, but also about how we conceptualize ourselves as human beings? How do we understand ourselves as part of the environment (and nature)?
Jenna Sutela
Earth Works
Bergen Kunsthall, Norway
January 26 - April 7, 2024
