Way of the Forest Exhibition at Abu Dhabi's 421 Arts Campus Explores Environmental Loss Through Global South Artists
The exhibition "Way of the Forest," hosted at the 421 Arts Campus in Abu Dhabi, showcases the work of 19 artists from the Global South, who delve into the connection between humanity and nature in light of the climate emergency. This exhibition, which runs until 29 December, has its roots in the Colomboscope arts festival held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and follows the previous 2022 exhibition, Language is Migrant. Featured pieces include Jayatu Chakma's Story of the Grey Hills, Saodat Ismailova's Arslanbob, and Karunasiri Wijesinghe's botanical illustrations. The show concludes with Kulagu Tu Buvongan's For Every Name a Forest, honoring indigenous Filipino activists, and juxtaposes the desert landscape of Abu Dhabi with themes of forests, exploring rituals and the impact of corporate capitalism.
Key facts
- Way of the Forest exhibition runs until 29 December at 421 Arts Campus in Abu Dhabi
- Features 19 artists from the Global South, including two from the Arabian Gulf region
- Second traveling edition of Colomboscope arts festival from Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Includes works by Jayatu Chakma, Saodat Ismailova, Karunasiri Wijesinghe, U Arulraj, Pushpakanthan Pakkiyarajah, Sanod Maharjan, and Kulagu Tu Buvongan
- Kulagu Tu Buvongan's For Every Name a Forest memorializes indigenous Filipino activists killed defending Pantaron Mountain Range
- U Arulraj notes Sri Lanka's tea plantations decreased by 171 in recent years
- Exhibition originally reviewed in Canvas 115: On the Wild Side
- Follows 2022's Language is Migrant exhibition at 421 Arts Campus
Entities
Artists
- Jayatu Chakma
- Saodat Ismailova
- Karunasiri Wijesinghe
- U Arulraj
- Pushpakanthan Pakkiyarajah
- Sanod Maharjan
- Kulagu Tu Buvongan
- Amar Kanwar
Institutions
- 421 Arts Campus
- Colomboscope
- Venice Biennale
- Canvas
Locations
- Abu Dhabi
- United Arab Emirates
- Colombo
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
- Uzbekistan
- Kathmandu Valley
- Nepal
- Pantaron Mountain Range
- Philippines
- Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya