Colombian artist Delcy Morelos is set to captivate London with her latest monumental earthwork, Origo, a 24-metre-wide oval pavilion made of 30 tonnes of soil, opening at the Barbican's Sculpture Court. The installation invites visitors to explore cave-like passages and a central patio for meditation, including tai chi sessions.
Morelos, known for her immersive soil sculptures, aims to challenge humanity's relationship with earth, which she calls 'the most humble material that sustains all life.' Her work, rooted in Andean cosmovision, treats soil as a sentient being rather than a resource to be exploited.
The artist, who grew up in Tierralta, Colombia, began working with earth after witnessing violence in her homeland. Her installations blend land art, arte povera, and pre-Hispanic architecture, encouraging visitors to reconsider their connection to the natural world.
Origo, meaning 'origin,' is designed to evolve with weather and time, and will be dismantled in August. Morelos emphasises impermanence: 'This work will only exist in the memories of those who lived the experience.' The sculpture is free to enter, allowing multiple visits.
Morelos hopes Origo provides a space for reflection, where visitors feel held by the earth. 'I want to create a space where you can be with her,' she says. 'The earth is so abundant.' The exhibition opens on 15 May at the Barbican, London.
