Tristes Tropiques

In Tristes Tropiques, a new body of work by artist Richard Mosse, we find the documentation of environmental crimes unfolding across Brazil's "arc of fire" through large-scale, vibrant, topographic images. Mosse's work exemplifies "counter-mapping," a term used to describe a form of resistance mapmaking intended to reveal endangered landscapes, and describe human activities that threaten the entire Amazon and our global climate.

Through the medium of multispectral imaging -- used by scientists to detect ecological damage, as well as agribusiness and mineralogy to more profitably exploit the environment -- Mosse presents a series of complex ecological narratives.

Mosse's new body of work Tristes Tropiques will be on view from tomorrow at Jack Shainman Gallery in New York City (through May 15, 2021).

Additional Information:

Interview (April 6, 2021) via The Guardian
Podcast interview (January 12, 2021) via Monocle
Incoming reviewed (March, 4, 2017) by frieze
Incoming reviewed (February 15, 2017) by The Guardian

All photos © Richard Mosse. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

Gold Pit, Para State, 2021

archival pigment print

59 x 112 inches (print)

Aldeia Enawenê-nawê, Mato Grosso, 2021

archival pigment print

59 x 105 inches (print)

Felled Brazil Nut Tree, Amazonas State, 2021

archival pigment print

59 x 88.5 inches (print)

Subterranean Fire, Pantanal, 2020

archival pigment print

59 x 91 inches (print)

Submerged Forest, Rondônia, 2021
archival pigment print
59 x 106 inches

Burnt Pantanal I, 2020

archival pigment print

67 x 59 inches (print)

Intensive Cattle Feedlot, Rondônia, 2020

archival pigment print

63 x 59 inches (print)

Mineral Ship, Para, 2020

archival pigment print

65 1/2 x 59 inches (print)

Caiman Pond, Pantanal, 2020

archival pigment print

96 x 59 inches (print)

Burnt Eucalyptus Plantation, Rondônia, 2021
archival pigment print
59 x 62.5 inches

Alumina Refinery, Para State, 2021 (diptych)

archival pigment print

59 x 64 inches (this panel)

Alumina Refinery, Para State, 2021 (diptych)

archival pigment print

59 x 109.5 inches (this panel)

NASA: Tracking Amazon Deforestation, April 19, 2021.

PBS: How Amazon deforestation could push the climate to a "tipping point", September 4, 2019.

National Gallery of Art Richard Mosse conversation streamed on November 17, 2019.

About Richard Mosse

Born in Ireland in 1980, Richard Mosse holds an MFA in photography from Yale University School of Art and a postgraduate diploma in fine art from Goldsmiths. He explores the boundaries between documentary forms and contemporary art. Mosse's work has been critically acclaimed in seen worldwide, including solo exhibitions at the SFMOMA (2019), National Gallery of Art, Washington DC (2019), The Curve gallery, Barbican, London (2017), NGV, Australia (2017 and 2015), and at the 55th Venice Biennale (2013) where he represented Ireland. Among others, his honors include the Prix Pictet (2018), the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize (2014), and a Guggenheim Fellowship (2011).