States of Earth: Ecological and Social Justice Art at Yapı Kredi, Istanbul

“States of Earth” Exhibition Explores Ecological Themes and Social Justice Through Art

Rethinking relationships between humans, nature, and vital resources in the face of environmental crises.

As the impact of environmental degradation and climate change becomes more apparent, artists are increasingly addressing these issues through their work. The States of Earth exhibition, running from September 6, 2024, to March 30, 2025, showcases 11 contemporary artists whose works delve into the complex intersections of ecology, sustainability, and social justice.

The exhibition, which takes its title from Birhan Keskin’s poetry book Yeryüzü Halleri (States of Earth), urges us to reconsider how we live on this planet, emphasizing the need for care, attention, and equity in a world shared by millions of living beings. As curators Burcu Çimen and Didem Yazıcı state, the exhibition seeks to explore structures that transcend oppositional thinking and hierarchies, promoting a world where humans and non-human entities coexist harmoniously.

The participating artists—Rozelin Akgün, Judy Chicago, Berna Dolmacı, Sibel Horada, Ekin Kano, Gözde Mimiko Türkkan, Begüm Mütevellioğlu, Cengiz Tekin, Buşra Tunç, Murat Yıldız, and Müge Yılmaz—represent diverse perspectives and mediums. Their works span painting, performance, photography, video, stained glass, sculpture, and installation. Despite their varied approaches, these artists are unified by a common theme: challenging the dominant human-centric worldview and examining how environmental damage affects both human and non-human life.

A New Perspective on Ecology and Social Justice

Ecology and social justice are not separate issues but interlinked realities, as the States of Earth exhibition underscores. The artworks explore the ways in which environmental disasters—often exacerbated by political, cultural, and economic systems—impact marginalized communities and ecosystems alike. This approach ties ecological art directly to social justice, as it critiques not only the environmental destruction caused by capitalism and industrialization but also the social inequalities that arise from these systems.

The exhibition also takes a step further, proposing new ways of relating to the natural world. It moves beyond human-centered perspectives and encourages a view that treats plants, animals, and even natural elements like water and waves as equal participants in the world. This shift is embodied in works that emphasize the agency and subjectivity of nature, challenging the destructive forces of capitalism and colonialism that have long exploited the environment.

By addressing these themes, States of Earth asks visitors to consider how sustainability can be a path toward greater social justice. The artworks engage with the necessity of protecting vital resources—such as water and land—and call for a reevaluation of the systems that have led to their degradation. Whether through direct action or more subtle forms of advocacy, the artists urge us to think critically about our role in reshaping the future.

Artistic Exploration of the Human-Nature Relationship

The exhibition features works that conceptualize the human-nature relationship in various ways. Judy Chicago’s work, for instance, examines the role of women in ecological activism, highlighting the gendered aspects of environmental justice. Sibel Horada’s installations investigate the intersections of memory, landscape, and colonial history, asking viewers to reconsider their relationship with the land they inhabit. Meanwhile, Ekin Kano’s performance pieces engage with the sensory experience of nature, encouraging an embodied connection with the environment.

Rozelin Akgün and Gözde Mimiko Türkkan explore the ecological damage caused by industrialization and pollution, documenting the effects on both human and non-human life. Their works serve as a record of environmental harm, while also calling for collective action to change the course of destruction.

Other artists, such as Cengiz Tekin and Müge Yılmaz, focus on more abstract representations of nature. Their works often feature recurring motifs of water, plants, and fungi, drawing connections between the hidden networks that sustain life on earth. In doing so, they challenge the viewer to rethink the boundaries between humans and the natural world, blurring the lines between subject and object, observer and participant.

A Celebration of Coexistence

At the heart of States of Earth is the idea that we are all connected—humans, animals, plants, and even elements like water and air—through invisible networks that sustain life. These connections are often hidden, but they are essential to our survival. The exhibition reminds us that by recognizing and respecting these networks, we can build a more sustainable and just future.

The opening of States of Earth will take place on Thursday, September 5th, 2024, at 6pm, with artist talks scheduled for Saturday, September 7th, from 2pm to 6pm. The exhibition is part of the celebration of Yapı Kredi’s 80th anniversary, adding a layer of cultural significance to the event.

This thoughtful and dynamic exhibition invites us to reflect on the urgent environmental challenges of our time, while offering hope for a future in which humans and nature can coexist in harmony.