Exhibition

SOIL

The World at Our Feet

23 Jan - 13 Apr 2025
£18.50/£15.00 concessions
Child 6-11 £10.00
Child 5 and under FREE

Opening Times

Monday CLOSED (except Mon 17 Feb)
Tuesday 10.00 - 18.00 (last entry 17.00)
Wednesday 10.00 - 18.00 (last entry 17.00)
Thursday 12.00 - 21.00 (last entry 20.00)
Friday 12.00 - 21.00 (last entry 20.00)
Saturday 10.00 - 21.00 (last entry 20.00)
Sunday 10.00 - 18.00 (last entry 17.00)
Embankment Galleries
South Wing

Unearthing soil’s vital role in our planet’s future.

This groundbreaking exhibition unites visionary artists and thinkers from around the world to explore the remarkable power and potential of soil. Through a range of artworks, artefacts and innovative approaches, visitors are invited to reconsider the crucial role soil plays in our planet's health. The exhibition delivers a message of hope and urgency, encouraging a more sustainable, harmonious relationship with the Earth—if we choose to act now. 

Soil is more than dirt. Soil is a secret world at our feet, an ecosystem as diverse in life as our night sky is full of stars. The billions of bacteria contained in its rhizospheres do for plants what the microbes in our stomachs do for us: sustain life. Our relationship with soil is our connection to Earth itself. Without soil, there is no us. 

Our exhibition brings together a range of stories and responses to soil from a group of global artists, writers, musicians and scientists. Combining sensory artworks, historical objects, scientific artefacts and documentary evidence, the exhibition sets out to inspire and educate visitors about the power and the fragility of soil, its fundamental role in human civilisation and its remarkable potential to heal our planet. 

CLICK HERE FOR GENERAL VISITOR INFORMATION

As a guide we recommend allowing approximately 1 to 1.5 hours in the exhibition.

For your safety and the safety of the artworks, please do not touch the exhibits or structures.  

This exhibition has low level lighting. 

Large print guides, noise-reducing headphones and stools are available. 

Please note that we are not able to offer reciprocal entry for the first two weeks and last two weeks of the exhibition.

Content Guidance
This exhibition includes a small amount of content referencing death and violence. If you require assistance and or any further information, please speak to a member of the Visitor Experience team. 


Opening Times

Monday CLOSED (except Mon 17 Feb)
Tuesday 10.00 - 18.00 (last entry 17.00)
Wednesday 10.00 - 18.00 (last entry 17.00)
Thursday 12.00 - 20.00 (last entry 19.00)
Friday 12.00 - 20.00 (last entry 19.00)
Saturday 10.00 - 20.00 (last entry 19.00)
Sunday 10.00 - 18.00 (last entry 17.00)

Opening Time Exceptions

Mon 17 Feb 10.00 - 18.00 (last entry 17.00)
Thu 20 Feb 10.00 - 20.00 (last entry 19.00)
Fri 21 Feb 10.00 - 20.00 (last entry 19.00)


Bags & Belongings
We advise all visitors not to bring bags unless it’s essential. For the safety of the artworks exhibited, large bags (larger than A3), backpacks, professional cameras and tripods are not permitted inside the exhibition.

Please note that there are no cloakroom facilities on site.

Children's scooters are not permitted inside the exhibition.


Families
Those booking 2 adult and up to 3 child (aged 6-11) tickets or 1 adult and 2 or 3 children (aged 6-11) tickets receive a 10% discount (applied at checkout).

CLICK HERE FOR ACCESS INFORMATION

Stools are available on request. 

This exhibition has low level lighting. 

Relaxed Session
We are hosting two Relaxed Sessions for anyone who would like to explore SOIL in a calm and comfortable and environment, including people with autism and other neurodiverse needs, as well as their siblings, families and carers. These will be held on Friday 30 January from 10.00 – 11.30 and Saturday 8 March 18.30 – 20.00 click here for details.

Access Packs
Available to borrow from the SOIL Box Office everyday and contain Large Print Guides, Noise Cancelling Headphones, a copy of the Visual Story, Magnifying Glasses and a stress ball.

Somerset House is giving visitors the creative space to think more deeply about soil’s vital and dramatic role in sustaining life on Earth, now and in the future. We hope to inspire both awe and optimism in those willing to dig below the surface of a world they only thought they knew.  

Participating artists include: Anya Gallaccio, Ana Mendieta, Annalee Davis, Asad Raza, Asunción Molinos Gordo, Clare Richardson, Daro Montag, Diana Scherer, Eve Tagny, Fatima Alaiwat, Fernando Laposse, France Bourely, Harun Morrison & Paul Granjon, herman de vries, Howard Sooley, Jackie Summell, Jim Richardson, Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, Jo Pearl, Johanna Tagada Hoffbeck,  Ken Griffiths, Kim Norton, Lauren Gault, Maeve Brennan, Marguerite Humeau, Mariana Heilmann, Marshmallow Laser Feast, Michael Landy, Mike Perry, Miranda Whall, Sam Williams, Semantica (Jemma Foster and Camilla French) with Juan Cortés, Something & Son, Theo Panagopoulos, Tim Cockerill and Elze Hesse, Vivien Sansour, Wim van Egmond. 

The exhibition is co-curated by The Land Gardeners: Henrietta Courtauld and Bridget Elworthy, curator and writer May Rosenthal Sloan and Claire Catterall, Senior Curator at Somerset House Trust.

Associate Sponsor