Ana Mendieta Lecture with Celia Higson 27th November 2026

Ana Mendieta

Lecture by Celia Higson

St. Andrew’s Church and Tate Modern

Coffee · Lecture · Lunch · Exhibition

27th November 2026

Ana Mendieta was a trailblazing Cuban-American artist active in the 1970s and 80s who combined land art, performance and photography in her practice, resulting in intimate “earth-body” sculptures. Tate’s major exhibition dedicated to Ana Mendieta presents many of her iconic works alongside newly remastered films, early paintings, and late sculptural pieces. In keeping with Medieta’s connection to nature in her work, the show is not confined to the gallery space, making this dynamic and exciting exhibition a must-see.

Mendieta is best known for her Silueta Series, exploring the presence and absence of the human body. Captured in film and photography, she used the elements and natural ephemera including fire, water and flowers, emphasising the transience of not only nature, but the human condition. Through these works Mendieta also explored ideas of displacement and identity.

Celia Higson will introduce us to Ana Mendieta’s works before we see the exhibition; Celia has a keen interest in land-art and her acute knowledge of Mendieta’s work will enrich the experience of viewing the works in person, giving us insight into her background, the wider context of land art and the techniques Mendieta used that made her such an important artist in the 20th century. Celia will be running an Artemisia trip to the South Downs next year, which includes a visit to the Goodwood Art Foundation, so this is the perfect introduction to land art for those interested in joining the trip.