Maryland State Wire

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is set to unveil "Black Earth Rising," an exhibition exploring the connections between the climate crisis and colonialism. The exhibition, curated by Ekow Eshun, will open on May 18 and feature works from artists such as Firelei Báez, Alejandro Piñeiro Bello, Frank Bowling, Teresita Fernández, Todd Gray, Sky Hopinka, Wangechi Mutu, Yinka Shonibare, and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. These artists use their work to engage with nature as a form of liberation while encouraging audiences to reflect on the historical roots of today's climate issues.

"As the world grapples with one of the most pressing issues of our time, I couldn’t think of a better interlocutor than Ekow to bring this necessary exhibition to our audiences," said Asma Naeem, BMA’s Dorothy Wagner Wallis Director. She added that "Black Earth Rising" aims to provoke new pathways of understanding and action regarding climate change.

The concept behind "Black Earth Rising" is rooted in the idea of the “Plantationocene,” which links today’s climate crisis back to practices initiated in the 1500s during European colonization. This period saw forced migration and labor along with plantation agriculture that contributed significantly to environmental degradation. The exhibition positions artists of color at the forefront of understanding these complex issues through their art.

The artworks included in "Black Earth Rising" explore themes such as cultural displacement and slavery's legacy while finding healing in nature. They offer both reflection on colonialism's impact and celebration of nature's beauty. The exhibition draws its name from terra preta—fertile soil created by ancient Indigenous civilizations—which highlights Indigenous land management practices as sustainable alternatives.

Guest curator Ekow Eshun commented on the significance of bringing together artists who address history, power dynamics, climate crisis, and justice through resonant artwork: “Their artworks reach to the poetic and lyrical rather than the didactic.”

The BMA's Turn Again to the Earth initiative encompasses this exhibition as part of its broader focus on environmental issues through various programs. "Black Earth Rising" will be available for viewing until September 21, 2025.