Soil:The World at our Feet
Somerset House 23rd Jan - 13th April 2025
A landmark exhibition at Somerset House showcasing soil and the fundamental role it plays in our existence and to the health of the planet, interconnecting us all through this humble yet critical matter. Including over 40 global artists, writers, scientists and musicians.
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
Soil Library 2017 - Ongoing
‘It has now become almost ritualistic for me to carry small bags and a marker pen whilst visiting new locations with the intention of mindfully collecting a small sample of local soil. It could be from an upturned tree, road works, the edge of farmland. I only ever remove small pieces to minimise disruption.’
This process began in 2017 as a soil archive or material library that solely existed for my own reference, but it quickly became evident whilst increasing in size that what was emerging was an evolutionary piece of work.
‘Each object reveals a small part of a place in relation to its geological topography.’
Currently comprising of over 160 small pieces this collection of work will continue to grow over time. To date, soils have been collected from across Europe, North America, Asia and the UK. Along with a series of notes outlining the location, soil type and quantity, some pieces have been mixed into porcelain and any local clays can exist without a stabilising body.
Somerset House, Soil The World at our Feet.
Ruperra Woodland, South Wales
Soils from Parys Mountain, Copper MIne, Anglesey.