The Rise of ‘Place-Based’ Art: How Trauma, Resilience, and Landscape are Shaping Contemporary Expression
The 2026 Whitney Biennial is signaling a significant shift in contemporary art, one deeply rooted in personal experience and the impact of environmental and societal upheaval. A striking number of artists featured – roughly one in six – have ties to Los Angeles, and their perform reflects a shared experience of displacement and recovery following the devastating California fires. This isn’t merely a regional trend; it’s a broader movement towards art that is intensely “place-based,” responding directly to the specific conditions of the artists’ lives and surroundings.
From Displacement to Creation: The LA Connection
The fires that swept through Los Angeles in early 2026 served as a catalyst for many artists, forcing them to confront loss, rebuild their lives, and re-evaluate their relationship with home. Artists like Kelly Akashi and Teresa Baker found themselves uprooted, navigating temporary living situations and grappling with the emotional fallout of losing their homes and studios. This experience isn’t simply reflected *in* their art; it *is* the art.
Teresa Baker, whose work is featured in the Biennial, embodies this shift. After evacuating her home on January 7th and never returning, she and her family moved five times in a single year, eventually settling in Montana. This constant state of flux informed her abstract collage hangings, created using synthetic turf, acrylic paint, yarn, and natural materials like corn husk and buffalo hide. Baker describes her work as being created “in a tumultuous time, a time of transition.”
Indigenous Perspectives and the Reclaiming of Craft
Baker’s artistic process is also notable for its connection to her heritage as a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. She incorporates traditional materials and techniques into her work, referencing “land, nature, craft and living traditions.” This echoes a broader trend in contemporary art: a growing interest in Indigenous knowledge systems and a rejection of purely conceptual approaches in favor of tactile, materially-engaged practices.
This return to craft is also evident in the work of Andrea Fraser, another artist with ties to the West. Fraser, who was born in Montana, notes a distinction between the artistic culture of the East Coast and the more grounded, hands-on approach prevalent in the West. She herself has recently returned to sculptural practices, finding resonance in the physicality of making.
The Landscape as Witness: Awe, Trauma, and the Natural World
The landscapes themselves – both the scarred landscapes of California and the expansive vistas of Montana – are emerging as central themes. Baker speaks of experiencing “awe” in the face of the Montana landscape, finding solace and inspiration in its “grand gestures” even amidst a difficult year. This reflects a growing recognition of the power of the natural world to both heal and remind us of our vulnerability.
Ali Eyal, an Iraqi artist based in Los Angeles, connects the fires to his own experiences of trauma, recalling the violence he witnessed during his childhood. Yet, he also finds a sense of renewal in the unique light and colors of the California sunset, a stark contrast to the darkness of his past. His work, like that of many others in the Biennial, suggests that art can be a powerful tool for processing trauma and finding meaning in the face of adversity.
What So for the Future of Art
The trends highlighted by the 2026 Whitney Biennial suggest a future where art is increasingly personal, politically engaged, and deeply connected to place. We can expect to see:
- A continued emphasis on materiality and craft: Artists will likely continue to move away from purely conceptual approaches and embrace tactile, hands-on practices.
- Greater representation of Indigenous and marginalized voices: The art world is becoming more inclusive, and artists from diverse backgrounds are gaining greater visibility.
- Increased focus on environmental themes: As climate change and environmental degradation become more pressing, art will likely play an increasingly important role in raising awareness and inspiring action.
- The blurring of boundaries between art and life: Artists will continue to draw inspiration from their own experiences and surroundings, creating work that is deeply personal and relevant to the world around them.
FAQ
Q: Is this trend limited to artists from Los Angeles?
A: No, even as the concentration of artists with LA ties in the 2026 Biennial is notable, the broader trend towards place-based art is occurring globally.
Q: What is “place-based” art?
A: It’s art that is deeply rooted in the specific conditions of the artist’s environment, responding to local landscapes, histories, and communities.
Q: How are artists incorporating their heritage into their work?
A: Artists are using traditional materials, techniques, and knowledge systems to create work that honors their cultural roots and challenges dominant narratives.
Did you know? The 2026 Whitney Biennial features work from 56 artists, duos, and collectives, making it the longest-running survey of contemporary art in the United States.
Pro Tip: Explore the work of artists featured in the 2026 Whitney Biennial to gain a deeper understanding of these emerging trends.
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