Material Futures is a new programne for visual artists working with or developing sustainable materials and approaches as a key aspect of their work. Following an open call for applications, we are delighted to announce that the inaugural Material Futures Residencies have been awarded to the UK-based artists Niamh Schmidtke and Monya Riachi.

Niamh Schmidtke explores the political complications of ‘being green’ by cultivating conversations with the environment, through speculation, audio, ceramics and installations. They examine the relationship between listening and speaking, to consider the kinds of voices that deep time, the sea, or humans could have with one another. These relations critique the utopia of renewable energies, drawing attention to the financial origins of climate crises and examine intimacy as a form of decolonial praxis for the future. They are the 2023 EARTH artist in residence at TU Berlin, with Science Gallery International and are currently working towards a commission and final exhibition in summer of 2024*.

*This residency is part of the Earth, Water, Sky residency series, curated by Ariane Koek and funded by Fondation Didier et Martine Primat.

This programme is generously supported by The Fenton Arts Trust.