We are very excited to share that our fellow Razia Barsatie will participate in 12th edition of Beelden Op de Berg "Heksenkruid – decolonising botany”.

The sculpture exhibition, entitled "Heksenkruid – decolonising botany", focuses on the decolonization of plant knowledge. “Decolonization in botany also means recognizing and valuing the contributions of indigenous communities to the understanding and management of plants,” says curator Mirjam Westen. "The title Witch Herb refers to the traditional knowledge of medicinal herbs that is often neglected in the West and has long been put in a bad light."

For the 12th edition of Beelden op de Berg, Barsatie looked for materials that can withstand wind and weather. The theme of the exhibition - decolonizing botany - inspired her to create an installation about the complex historical connection between the Netherlands and Suriname. As a former colony, Suriname was exploited as a province for centuries. Under the title 'Gift of a Root' (a cultural connection through plants), she wants to highlight the natural resources of Suriname with which the Netherlands has enriched itself. Her installation is covered with a network of roots that symbolizes the colonial connection.

The participating artists are: Razia Barsatie, Ana Bravo Pérez, Beya Gille Gacha, Juan Arturo Garcia, Femke Herregraven, Susanne Khalil Yusef, Su Melo, Kim Ng, Kristina Norman, Jerrold Saija, Karen Sargsyan, Kathrin Schlegel, Buhlebezwe Siwani, and Weaving Realities Collective (Aldo Esparza Ramos & Yuchen Li).

The twelfth edition of Beelden Op de Berg will take place from June 1 to September 15, 2024 in Belmonte Arboretum in Wageningen.

More info