Since the mid-1960s, visual artists have played a pioneering role in developing regenerative ecological practices. Among the methodologies developed by these artists are the reconstruction and restoration of ecosystems; land reclamation; green remediation; and the creation of reserves. Many of these artists - whether ecofeminist or not - never made it into the art history books.
This interdisciplinary doctoral research, which will result in a dissertation, aims to write a consistent history of this first generation of ecological artists. The work of these artists is characterized by direct interventions on a landscape scale, in contrast to that of later generations of Eco artists, who tend to create art for the white cube. Based on in-depth source research (documents, writings, and interviews with artists), as well as the analysis of realized and unrealized artworks, the dissertation makes public archival documents, sources, and artworks that have often not been published before. The dissertation also aims to revise art history by highlighting early pioneers who have never been given the recognition they deserve, while at the same time critically questioning the role of the usual suspects and established reputations
Promotor: Prof.dr. Katja Kwastek (Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam)
image: herman de vries, le sanctuaire de roche-rousse, vallée du bes, 1999-2003, photo: Roel Arkesteijn, 2025
