Spirituality and the power of earthy materials
Majestic bronze serpents, opulent black marmaids and vibrant floating sculpures have made their way into Galleria Borghese, bringing innovation and conversing with the permanent collection’s artworks. From June 10 to September 14, the museum presents a solo exhibition by Wangechi Mutu, marking the first time an African artist is featured alongside the historical masterpieces housed in Cardinal Scipione’s former esidence.
The exhibition, entitled Black Soil Poems, curated by Cloé Perrone, includes a combination of site-specific and works on-loan from other institutions. Together, all the artworks highlight the natural transformative power of womenhood and nature. Mutu’s artistic practise explores both poetic and mythological aspects of art and its materic essence. Bronze, wood, feathers, soil, paper, water and wax are central to the exhibition’s ethos and can be seen in contrast with the valuable materials of the permanent gallery’s works.
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Feminine divinities and the natural world
As a Kenyan-American woman, Wangechi Mutut brings a vital new perspective, elements of diversity that foster reflection on contemporary issues. Her works are spread thoughout the museum. At the very entrance of the gallery, statuary goddess-like figures, The Seated I and The Seaterd IV, welcomes visitors, inviting them to challenge fixed conventions and expectations. Unlike traditional caryatids, these figures are independent, rooted, and carry no burden, commanding presence with authority. They differ from classical standards of proportion and form – their bodies are elongated, their faces stylized, and their surfaces embellished with abstract elements reminiscent of jewelry, armor, or ceremonial markings. Walking further into the museum, at the first floor, Prayers, Older Sisters, and Underground Hornship reflect a network of rituals, memory, and mutual recognition. Prayers explores the nature of spiritual gestures as sculptural inscription while Older Sisters (2019), two bronze heads shaped with intricate East African braids, evoke a sense of sisterhood and knowledge sharing, deeply connected to the marine world.
Beyond the Gallery: floating forms and engaging events
Moving upstairs, in the Salone Lanfranco, the Suspended Playtime installation surprises visitors with its joy and light nature: hundreds of spheres made of plastic bags, string and wire, are hanging from the ceiling waving and prompting a reflection on time, space and sound. Here, we can see a subtle but strong message to reimagine our public and social spaces, in the name of inclusivity and sustainability.
The final section of Mutu’s artistic exhbition unfolds in the Villa’s secret gardens. Weeping female’s heads, coils of snakes emerging from straw baskets merge perfectly into the greenery of the park, completing Mutu’s dialogue between myth, spirituality and the transformative power of nature.
Throughout the exhibition period, Galleria Borghese has organized Esistere come donna, a series of events connected to Mutu’s work. From art-infused talks to screening and guided tours – including one of Shavasana I at the American Academy – the events will explore themes of material trasformation, gender equality, African cultures and poetic expression. All events are free of charge regardless of the gallery’s entry ticket. Reservations are required, subject to availability, a few days before each event. Full details are available here.
Until September, 14
Galleria Borghese
Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5
Opening times: from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 7pm
Tickets: From €15 (including permanent exhibition ticket)
