Extinct in the Wild: Art and the Environment

Exhibition Overview: 

Extinct in the Wild: Art and the Environment invites viewers into a profound exploration of humanity’s complex connection to the environment. Centered around Courtney Egan’s innovative video installation, which lends its name to the exhibition, Extinct in the Wild reflects on critical ecological challenges, including climate change, natural disasters, and the endangerment or extinction of plant and animal species. This exhibition brings together works in diverse mediums and perspectives, showcasing how artists are inspired by and respond to the natural world. The works invite visitors to consider the impact of our choices on the environment and inspire reflection on the future of our planet.

The exhibition presents an immersive reflection on humanity’s complex, often fraught relationship with the natural world. It explores both the beauty and fragility of nature, particularly as seen through the lens of human intervention and its consequences. From idyllic pastoral landscapes to contemporary works confronting climate change, the exhibition creates a dialogue around our evolving relationship with nature.

Extinct in the Wild highlights artists who draw inspiration from nature while questioning the sustainability of human impact. Through a range of mediums—painting, sculpture, video, and photography—the exhibition presents a narrative that reflects the timeless beauty of the natural world, while simultaneously confronting the consequences of its exploitation and degradation. 

The exhibition aims to provoke reflection on how humanity shapes and is shaped by nature. From pastoral ideals to apocalyptic warnings, the works selected for this exhibition trace the delicate balance between admiration for the natural world and its exploitation. By bringing these diverse artistic perspectives together, the exhibition invites viewers to consider how art can inspire ecological consciousness and a deeper understanding of our shared environmental future.

Exhibition Sections:

• Idealized Nature: Humanity’s Vision of Paradise
• Extracted Beauty: The Botanist’s Gaze
• Consequences: Climate and Catastrophe
• Nature Reclaimed: A New Relationship

Contents:

• • 80 paintings, drawings, photographs, works on paper, glass works, silver works, and other sculptures; featured installation: Extinct in the Wild by Courtney Egan—a powerful video installation addressing the delicate balance between humans and the environment (equipment available upon request)
  • Exhibition includes dual-perspective didactics: one that celebrate the artistry and the other that considers, critiques, or complicates the natural forms represented

  Interactive gallery components or educational materials available for additional fee
  

Space Requirements:

4,000–5,000 square feet (adjustable to fit your institution’s space)

Rental Fee and Terms:

• $50,000 for a 12-week rental period, plus round-trip shipping via an approved fine art carrier
• Additional weeks are available at a pro-rated rate
• A 50% deposit is due upon signing the rental agreement, with the remaining balance due within 30 days of the exhibition’s opening date at venue

Tour Dates:

Exhibition available to travel in 2026 and beyond

Checklist:

A detailed checklist is available upon request. 

For further information or to book this exhibition, please email curatorial@hsvmuseum.org.

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