An exhibition of new works by POC artists responding to the theme of biodiversity, racial justice and environmental justice, generated through an artist residency on the ONCA Barge and curated by Imani Robinson.

Remembrance Day for Lost Species (or Lost Species Day / RDLS), 30 November, established in 2011, is a chance each year to explore the stories of extinct and critically endangered species, cultures, ways of life and ecological communities. ONCA has been one of the lead organisations supporting RDLS from the outset. However, the ways in which biodiversity loss is presented in mainstream discussions are often dominated by white-western narratives and exclusionary of people of colour. This project is part of an effort to improve ONCA’s articulation of the links between biodiversity loss, environmental injustice and racism.

The mainstream environmental movement continues to exclude, devalue and threaten the lives and lands of people of color. In recognition of Lost Species Day, this exhibition features the work of three POC identified artists, Matice Moore, Tsai Tung Li and Laurèl Hadleigh, with distinct approaches to exploring the environmental impact of racism and capitalism as on-going social disasters.

In conversation with the past, the future, and each other, the work explores strategies and connections required to survive our current apocalyptic conditions. Whiteness has framed racialized bodies and knowledge as expendable, inconsequential, or hazardous to the values of empire.

But some of us did not die.

This project is supported by funding from Arts Council England, and is part of the nationwide Season for Change – ‘celebrating the environment through culture and inspiring urgent action on climate change‘.