Way of the Forest: An Exhibition Exploring Ecological Histories at 421 Arts Campus

The 421 Arts Campus in Abu Dhabi, an independent platform renowned for nurturing emerging creative practices, is set to host Way of the Forest, a traveling edition of the Colomboscope arts festival. Opening on September 22, 2024, and running through December 29, 2024, this captivating exhibition brings together the works of 19 artists hailing from South Asia, Southwest Asia, and Africa. The event offers a profound exploration of ecological histories, challenging the conventional narratives of environmental stewardship and exploitation.

Taking place within the dynamic spaces of Galleries 1 and 2 at 421 Arts Campus, Way of the Forest seeks to rekindle an understanding of the interdependent relationships between humans and nature. The exhibition underscores the importance of custodianship and restorative practices across diverse landscapes, from rainforests and wilderness to mountain cultivations and riverine wetlands. The forest is approached as a “multispecies school,” offering lessons in mutual aid, balance, and coexistence—an antidote to the destructive forces of plunder and reckless supremacy that have characterized much of human history.

The term “forest” itself holds a multitude of meanings across different cultures and languages. In Tamil and Sanskrit, “Aaranya” relates to a sanctuary, while “vana” in Sinhala, “Bonn” in Bangla, “Jongol” in Nepal Bhasa, and “tēṁ” in Tamu each evoke distinct emotional states, imaginations, and climates. The exhibition delves into the rich tapestry of these cultural lexicons, exploring how they inform our understanding of the natural world and our place within it.

Way of the Forest is more than just an art exhibition; it is an intricate study of our eroding ecological histories, the loss of environmental wisdom, and the ongoing impact of colonial and developmental agendas. The exhibition sheds light on the ghosts of extraction that haunt our landscapes, questioning who truly owns the forest lands, who is displaced in the name of conservation, and who is restricted from accessing these vital spaces.

The exhibition also engages with the mystical and spiritual aspects of forests, drawing on folktales, legends, and mythologies where forests are often associated with apparitions, witches, and other supernatural beings. These entities are depicted as powerful and independent, existing beyond the reach of societal constraints. However, with the rise of imperialism, these spaces were increasingly exploited, their resources plundered, and their primary inhabitants subjugated in the pursuit of power and wealth. The subjugation of forests and wilderness was celebrated as a victory over the untamed and mysterious, further alienating humanity from the natural world.

The curatorial team for Way of the Forest includes prominent figures such as Hit Man Gurung, Natasha Ginwala, Sheelasha Rajbhandari, Sarker Protick, and assistant curator Vidhi Todi. Together, they have crafted an exhibition that not only showcases artistic talent but also fosters a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between humans and the environment.

The artists featured in Way of the Forest include Rakibul Anwar, Moza Almatrooshi, Shiraz Bayjoo, U. Arulraj, Jayatu Chakma, Nahla al Tabbaa, Pathum Dharmarathna, Sangita Maity, Karachi LaJamia, Sanod Maharjan, Saodat Ismailova, Pushpakanthan Pakkiyarajah, Sarmila Sooriyakumar with Pirainila Krishnarajah, Otobong Nkanga, MTF Rukshana, Tamarra Jayasundera, Karunasiri Wijesinghe, Kulagu Tu Buvongan, and Thava Thajendran.

Through their diverse practices, these artists invite visitors to engage with the environmental and cultural legacies that have shaped our world. Way of the Forest is an invitation to rethink our relationship with the earth, to embrace the wisdom of nature, and to imagine a future where humanity and the environment coexist in harmony.