After Nature–a new group exhibition at CLOSE gallery in Somerset–brings together a compelling mix of established and emerging artists whose work rethinks our relationship with the natural world in the 21st century.
Co-curated by Ben Tufnell and CLOSE founder Freeny Yianni–a long-time champion of land art–the exhibition features works by Richard Long, David Nash, Daisy Ginsberg, Nissa Nishikawa, and Simon Hitchens (also featured in this year’s Frieze Sculpture).
Tracing a lineage from the pioneers of land art to a new generation of environmentally engaged practitioners, After Nature offers a timely reflection on how artists are responding to the complexities of nature in an age of ecological uncertainty.
Tucked away in the Somerset countryside, CLOSE is quietly challenging expectations of what a rural gallery can be. Founded by Yianni, a formidable presence in contemporary art since her early days at Lisson, CLOSE is a space where slowness is intentional and the work itself takes precedence over the market. The gallery is already drawing international artists, curators and collectors to Somerset, and presenting exhibitions that rival those of major metropolitan galleries.
Courtesy the artist and CLOSE ltd.
After Nature
Featuring internationally acclaimed artists such as Richard Long and David Nash, After Nature also highlights a new generation of rising talent including Aimee Parrott, Alastair and Fleur Mackie, Nissa Nishikawa and Fred Sorrell. The exhibition offers a timely exploration of the ways in which artists are looking at and thinking about nature in the twenty-first century, with works spanning a range of media, including sculpture, ceramics, drawing, painting and photography.
After Nature explores ways of making art ‘after’ nature, i.e. in imitation of natural forms and systems (but inevitably haunted by the idea of coming after nature too). One section focuses on artists using natural processes (gravity, evaporation etc) and materials (mud, minerals etc) in their work, and a second focuses on artists working with visual perception (colour, form).
Notable pieces include a significant mud work by Richard Long, a wall painting in ash and dust by Chris Drury, new pastel colour studies by David Nash and paintings made with ochre pigment reclaimed from mine waste by Onya McCausland. Also featured are artworks that simulate the perspective of other species, specifically bees and other pollinators by Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, and ceramics fired with natural material sourced from the landscape around CLOSE by Nissa Nishikawa. The exhibition will also debut new works by Magnus Hammick, Simon Hitchens, Aimee Parrott and Lotte Scott.
While ecological and ecocritical discourse is ever more insistent that there is no distinction between ‘man’ and ‘nature’ (that to be human is ‘to be ecological’ in philosopher Timothy Morton’s words), extreme weather events are increasingly commonplace and the current US administration questions the reality of climate change and has announced an intention to double down on fossil fuel extraction.
Artists have long addressed the complexities of these issues, often quietly and non-polemically, but with subtle power and insistence. By making work that addresses the ways we understand the human/nature dialectic and by interrogating the ways in which culture can represent and reflect the environment, art can perhaps offer a nuanced understanding of our present predicament.
After Nature invites audiences to consider how contemporary art can offer new ways of seeing, sensing and engaging with the natural world at a time of urgent ecological change.
CLOSE
CLOSE is also home to Yianni, her husband Magnus Hammick (artist, environmentalist and clean energy entrepreneur) and their family. They live in a 17th century house on the estate, which also houses their incredible collection of art.
Sustainability is central to CLOSE’s ethos. The gallery runs entirely on green biofuel, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and has recently applied to join the GCC. The surrounding grounds are being rewilded to restore natural habitats and support biodiversity. In collaboration with garden designer Jack Wallington, CLOSE has also developed a dedicated pollinator garden to encourage insect life and ecological balance. From using biodegradable, reusable packaging to embedding sustainability into all areas of programming and operations.
After Nature is at CLOSE in Taunton, Somerset from 13th September to 25th October, 2025.
Courtesy the artist and CLOSE ltd.
