Siblings of the Soil

In honor of International Women's Day, Melkweg and Bar Bario join forces for the exhibition 'Siblings of the Soil'. The climate crisis is far from apolitical; it is, in fact, the result of political decisions primarily made by the West, at the expense of the Global South. With events in areas such as Gaza, Congo, and Sudan, and their impact on our planet, it becomes increasingly crucial to center the experiences and voices of women of color, who are often overlooked, in discussions about climate justice.

Recently, Shahar Shirzad, a woman of color, was deprived of her right to speak during a climate march solely because she drew a connection between war and climate change. This is just one example among many where women of color speaking out against oppression, war, and exploitation are silenced. Ecofeminism, as central to this exhibition, goes beyond an abstract concept; it is a philosophy that connects the oppression of women and the destruction of the environment to patriarchal and capitalist structures. With a dominant male presence at the top and a great obsession with capitalism, both women, especially women of color, and our planet are disadvantaged. In the conversation about climate justice, the experiences and voices of women of color are often ignored, even though they are disproportionately affected by the consequences of climate change. In 'Siblings of the Soil', their work is central, as a powerful acknowledgment of their crucial role in these complex and urgent issues.

The works of six artists: Tiana Japp, Irina Naji, Maha Eljak, Dina El Zeneiny, Rah Naqvi, and Ornella Ngingo are exhibited. These artists offer honest perspectives on the themes of patriarchy, ecofeminism, and capitalism: from the representation of femininity in Burundi by model and photographer Ornella Ngingo, to that in Palestine. These are very current topics and perspectives translated into various art forms, including painting, photography, and even beadwork.

On March 8, the exhibition will be ceremoniously opened with an event. The event includes an exhibition and an evening of art, music, and conversations, aimed at highlighting ecofeminism. Featuring music curated by Ampfeminine, an art market, and spoken word performances programmed by Viva La Vulva. You can find more information on the event on this page. 

The exhibition runs from March 8 to April 28 at Melkweg Expo. Every Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00. 

The exhibition 'Siblings of the Soil' is curated by Bar Bario and made possible by the Mondriaan Fund.