Symbiosis, 2018 (detail) Heather Ujiie

Earth Matters

Earth Matters

Watermark Art Center
Marley & Sandy Kaul Gallery
505 Bemidji Avenue N
Bemidji, Minnesota 56601
September 3 – October 30, 2021
Gallery Hours: Mon – Sat, 10 am – 5pm

Online Reception

View a video of SDA’s Earth Matters juror, Nnenna Okore, and award winners, Linda Belden, Emily Sullivan Smith, Sandi Goldstein and Ruth Tabancay that includes juror remarks, artist presentations.

Juror Statement

Through Earth Matters, artists have found a voice to trouble the field by inviting viewers to think with them about the planet. Drawing inspiration from a range of sources, the artists in Earth Matters sound the alarm about earthly conditions through diverse material experimentation and novel techniques. This is evidenced in the multidimensional works submitted to Earth Matters, which overall, were exceptional, meaningfully disruptive, and thought-provoking. The works collectively speak to the need to be attuned to our world viscerally, emotively, and ecologically. And more importantly, they contribute meaningfully to the discourse on material practice with waste, fiber, and other biomaterials.
–Nnenna Okore

Nnenna Okore was born in Australia, raised in Nigeria and works in the United States. Throughout her long career as an artist-researcher-teacher, she has focused on ecological issues steeped in artistic practice, pedagogy and social engagements. Okore is passionate about environmental issues and is currently involved in collaborative environmental projects in Australia. She is currently a Professor at Chicago’s North Park University and in addition to receiving numerous national and international awards, Okore was a recipient of the 2012 Fulbright Award.

Award Winners

  • First Place, Linda Belden
  • Second Place, Emily Sullivan Smith
  • Third Place, Sandi Goldstein
  • Award of Excellence, Ruth Tabancay