Barbican Art Gallery is presenting RE/SISTERS: A Lens on Gender and Ecology, an extraordinary exhibition made possible by the generous support of lead sponsor Vestiaire Collective and, the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation and Fluxus Art Projects.
This groundbreaking exhibition delves into the intricate relationship between gender and ecology, unravelling the systemic connections between the oppression of women and the degradation of our planet. Bringing together nearly 50 international women and gender non-conforming artists, RE/SISTERS spans photography, film, and installations, uniting these diverse voices in a powerful engagement with the ongoing ecological crisis.
In this expansive showcase, artists from various corners unite to challenge the status quo. The exhibition is a testament to the tireless advocacy and care women and marginalized communities demonstrate towards the environment. With a rich tapestry of nearly 250 works, RE/SISTERS paints a compelling roadmap for creative civil disobedience and protest, offering an optimistic reimagining of our relationship with the Earth.
Judy Chicago, Immolation from Women and Smoke, 1972 Fireworks performance Performed by Faith Wilding in the California Desert © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo courtesy of Through the Flower Archives C ourtesy of the artist; Salon 94, New York; and Jessica Silverman Gallery, San Francisco
Divided thematically into six sections, RE/SISTERS delves into the politics of extraction, acts of protest and resistance, the labour of ecological care, environmental racism, and queerness and fluidity. The exhibition illuminates critical issues at the heart of our collective consciousness through multidisciplinary works, urging us to reconsider our understanding of the environment and gender dynamics. From Dionne Lee’s thought-provoking collage interrogating racialized histories to Laura Aguilar’s boundary-blurring Nature Self-Portrait series, the exhibition confronts deep-seated societal inequalities and advocates fiercely for environmental justice.
RE/SISTERS highlights the disproportionate impact of extractive capitalism on women and Global Majority groups and explores the intersection of care and activism. The exhibition encourages a reciprocal, grateful, and joyful relationship with our Earth through empowering works and narratives, emphasizing nature as a feminist political space. From Ana Mendieta’s transformative ‘earth-body’ works to Uýra’s drag persona advocating for environmental awareness, the exhibition showcases the resilience and creativity of these artists.
Participating artists include renowned figures like Judy Chicago and Zoe Leonard, alongside lesser-known but equally vital voices such as Mónica de Miranda and Uýra. Through their art, these visionaries challenge conventions and inspire us to rethink our roles in caring for our planet.
RE/SISTERS: A Lens on Gender and Ecology is not just an exhibition; it’s a call to action. It urges us to embrace a new paradigm where empowerment, inclusivity, and environmental consciousness reign supreme. Don’t miss this transformative experience at the Barbican Art Gallery, where art becomes a powerful catalyst for change.
Participating Artists:
Laura Aguilar (US); Hélène Aylon (US); Poulomi Basu (India); Mabe Bethônico (Brazil); JEB (Joan E Biren) (US); melanie bonajo (The Netherlands); Carolina Caycedo (Columbia); Judy Chicago (US); Tee Corinne (US); Minerva Cuevas (Mexico); Agnes Denes (US); FLAR (Feminist Land Art Retreat) (US); Format Photography (UK); LaToya Ruby Frazier (US); Gauri Gill (India); Simryn Gill (Malaysia); Fay Godwin (UK); Laura Grisi (Italy); Barbara Hammer (US); Taloi Havini (Bougainville / Australia); Nadia Huggins (St Vincent & the Grenadines); Anne Duk Hee Jordan (Korea/Germany); Barbara Kruger (US); Dionne Lee (US); Zoe Leonard (US); Chloe Dewe Mathews (UK); Mary Mattingly (US); Ana Mendieta (Cuba); Fina Miralles (Spain); Mónica de Miranda (Angola/Portugal); Neo Naturists (Christine Binnie / Jennifer Binnie / Wilma Johnson) (UK); Otobong Nkanga (Nigeria); Josèfa Ntjam (France); Ada M. Patterson (Barbados); PARI (People’s Archive of Rural India) (India); Ingrid Pollard (UK); Zina Saro-Wiwa (Nigeria); Susan Schuppli (Canada); Seneca Women’s Encampment for the Future of Peace and Justice (US); Fern Shaffer (US); Sim Chi Yin (Singapore); Xaviera Simmons (US); Pamela Singh (India); Gurminder Sikand (India); Uýra (Brazil); Diana Thater (US); Mierle Laderman Ukeles (US); Andrea Kim Valdez (UK); Francesca Woodman (US)
RE/SISTERS: A Lens on Gender and Ecology – Barbican Art Gallery – 5 October 2023 – 14 January 2024