There are multitude of definitions for the word soil according to its context; what prevails is the presence in the soil of, or ability to sustain, life.

Byways of intensive and toxic farming practices, the general health of land worldwide is declining.  In her work, Johanna Tagada-Hoffbeck encourages an awareness of the soil and attentive care for how the compost we employ in our homes and gardens is created. Her installation uses peat-free veganic compost, where no blood or bones collected from slaughterhouses is involved, unlike standard compost. An oval shape composed of soil, as a symbol of togetherness and inspired by the eastern concept of Ahimsa, will be drawn around the musicians while including seasonal plants amongst which some grown in the artist allotment employing veganic permaculture methods.

Textile dyed with earth from the artist’s allotment and a film will also be part of the installation.

Johanna Tagada-Hoffbeck is a painter and interdisciplinary artist based in rural Oxfordshire. Her practice composed of painting, drawing, installation, sculpture, film, photography and writing often conceals ecological messages, rendered in soft and delicate methods. In several of the artistʼs projects interaction with the environment and others plays a central role. Solo exhibitions include Meeting at Pon Ding (Taipei, 2020), and Take Care at Nidi Gallery (Tokyo, 2018). In 2014, Johanna founded the positive and collaborative cultural project Poetic Pastel. In 2018, the artist cofounded the publication series Journal du Thé ‒ Contemporary Tea Culture. Her first book Daily Practice was published in 2018 by InOtherWords Imprint.

Image © Nishant Shukla. Commissioned by The Weekender Magazine