Journey to Nature’s Underworld
An exhibition exploring the intersection of art and ecology.
In his book Consilience, the biologist E. O. Wilson writes that, during a time overwhelmed by data yet lacking in wisdom, the ability to synthesize information critically has become essential. This challenge is at the heart of a unique exhibition that brings together two artists and friends whose work reflects deep engagement with environmental issues over the past three decades.
Titled Journey to Nature’s Underworld, the exhibition showcases the work of two prominent figures in contemporary art: Mark Dion and Alexis Rockman. The show offers a comprehensive survey of both artists’ work from 1990 to the present, highlighting their shared dedication to exploring human relationships with the natural world. According to Dion, “Alexis and I both look to the natural sciences as a source of inspiration. As artists in frequent dialogue with scientists, we know that art and science are very different endeavors, each with their own distinct methodologies, jobs, and rules. While they are not the same, art and science are powerful allies. At the very least, they share the same enemies: intolerance, prejudice, fundamentalism, ignorance, and doctrinaire thinking.”
Although their media differ—Dion often utilizes taxidermy dioramas and specimen cabinets, and Rockman produces detailed landscape paintings—they share an approach rooted in meticulous research, allegory, and cultural critique. Their works serve as visual dialogues with scientific disciplines, blending factual observation with artistic interpretation.
Their art challenges traditional notions of authority and objectivity associated with museums of natural history and scientific inquiry. By mimicking and subverting these display conventions, they invite viewers to question how nature is represented and understood. Their works often incorporate elements of dark humor and popular culture, making complex ecological issues accessible and thought-provoking.
Organized by the American Federation of the Arts and curated by Suzanne Ramljak, the exhibition has toured across several institutions, including the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, the Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College, and the Lowe Art Museum in Miami. It will be on view at the Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State from August 30 through December 7, 2025.
Journey to Nature’s Underworld exemplifies how art can serve as a lens into environmental issues, encouraging viewers to reflect critically on humans’ relationship with nature and the urgent need for informed action. As the world faces complex ecological dilemmas, such cross-disciplinary explorations become increasingly vital in fostering understanding and inspiring change.
