Soils as material and meaning

Soils in art and expression

Soil is not only a resource that supports life and food production. Throughout history, it has also inspired creativity, identity, and cultural expression. Clay from soils has been used for thousands of years to produce pottery, ceramics, sculptures, and tiles, while natural pigments such as ochre have been used in cave paintings and artworks across cultures (Szulczewski, 2015).

Beyond providing materials, soils and landscapes have inspired artists, musicians, writers, and designers by shaping the environments in which people live and interact. Fertile fields, dry landscapes, forests, and cultivated land all reflect the relationship between soils, vegetation, climate, and human society. In this way, soil is not only part of the physical foundation of art, but also of the stories, emotions, meanings, and cultural identities expressed through it.

Watch the documentary ‘Soil: The World at Our Feet’ produced by Somerset House, featuring five artists who each explore soil in a unique way. Through microscopy, design, community projects, sound, and visual art, they reveal different ways of seeing and engaging with the ground beneath our feet. The artists not only showcase their work, but also share the motivations, emotions, and stories behind it, demonstrating how art can help us connect with soils beyond their scientific and practical functions.

As you watch, consider: How does each artist relate to soil, and what message or feeling are they trying to communicate through their work?

The documentary is approximately 16 minutes long, but you may also choose to watch only one artist's story.

Please note: This is an external resource. By clicking the link or play button, you will be redirected to YouTube.

For more (visual) examples on how soil is represented in diverse artworks, you may have a look at articles by Szulczewski (2015), Feller et al. (2015) or Benincasa et al. (2026).