Ecospheres

Ecospheres aims to address the topic of ecology, the environment, climate and the natural world through the concept of making-with (living with). Based on the elements of Water, Air and Earth, the exhibition is divided into three Atmosphere Rooms. These Atmospheres function as conceptual spaces that foreground and amplify various artists and artworks in relation to the thematic ideas of the exhibition. 

Water is engaged as a mediator connecting the natural world to people, places and identity. The properties of Air as both a political and poetic construct are examined through the bonds of kinship, migration, diaspora and the lingering effects of atmospheric violence. The section on Earth embodies ideas of indigenous knowledge and sustainability, exploring how local indigenous knowledge informs the creation of ideas that shape art, culture and food.

The exhibition is an immersive experience that includes installations of hydroponic plants, oceanic-inspired knitted textile, botanic photography, sound and meditative paintings of migratory birds. Visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy a newly built Reading Room within the gallery. This space, designed by Wolff Architects, serves as a library for one book: the Ecospheres Reader, and is intended for convivial gatherings and discussions.

Featured artists: Sutapa Biswas (India/Great Britain) / Ximena Garrido-Lecca (Peru) / Bronwyn Katz (South Africa) / Zayaan Khan & Coila-Leah Enderstein (South Africa) / Mater Iniciativa (Peru), in collaboration with Alejandra Ortiz de Zevallos Rodrigo (Peru) and Isabella Celis (Colombia) / Rithika Merchant (India) / Ernesto Neto (Brazil) / Zizipho Poswa (South Africa) / Jonah Sack (South Africa) / Zina Saro-Wiwa (Nigeria/Great Britain) / Russell Scott (South Africa) / Michael Tsegaye (Ethiopia).

Special projects: Wolff Architects (South Africa) / Rebecca Potterton (South Africa).

A virtual tour of the exhibition is available on the JCAF website.

*Images above: (1) showing Rebecca Potterton, The Other Side of Dreaming (2024) (left); and Wolff Architects, Reading Room (2024) (right); with Ernesto Neto, Um dia todos fomos peixes (One day we were all fish) (2017) in the background. (3) ATMOSPHERE 1. Water: Narrative and Myth-Making: in the foreground, Ernesto Neto, Um dia todos fomos peixes (One day we were all fish) (2017); in the background, Zizipho Poswa, uNa’kaMzingisi (Mzingisi’s Mother) (2024). (4) ATMOSPHERE 1. Water: Narrative and Myth-Making, from left: Rithika Merchant, Transtidal (2022); Zizipho Poswa, uNa’kaMzingisi (Mzingisi’s Mother) (2024); Bronwyn Katz, Kai tus tu (Great rain rain) (2023). (5) ATMOSPHERE 2. Air: Migration and Kin, from left: Michael Tsegaye, Ankober (2007) and Afar II (2023); Sutapa Biswas, Time Flies (2004–21). (7) ATMOSPHERE 3. Earth: Indigenous Knowledge and Extraction, from left: Zina Saro-Wiwa, Karikpo Pipeline (2015); Mater Iniciativa, Ecosistemas Mater (2024); Russell Scott, Botanical Portraits Unearthed (2008–17).