The Facts
On October 5, 2026, Lisson Gallery announced that Sir John Akomfrah's five-channel film installation, 'Arcadia' (2023), will premiere at the Natural History Museum, London, on November 5, 2026. The work examines the Columbian Exchange and the environmental and social transformations following the movement of people, plants, animals, commodities, technologies, diseases, and ideas between the Americas and Afro-Eurasia from the fifteenth century onward. Across five screens, the film interweaves expansive landscapes with archival imagery and scenes of trade and industry, tracing interconnected histories of migration, colonialism, and ecological change. The installation will be on view in the Jerwood Gallery until May 2027, with free admission, marking its London debut after premiering at Sharjah Biennial 15 and showing at The Box, Plymouth, in 2023.
The Signal
The presentation at a major natural history museum signals a growing institutional embrace of artists who directly engage with ecological and historical themes, positioning Akomfrah's work at the intersection of art, science, and colonial history. For collectors, this high-profile venue reinforces the significance of Akomfrah's film practice and the market value of his multi-channel installations, which have become a hallmark of his career. Lisson Gallery's continued support of such ambitious projects underscores its commitment to artists whose work addresses urgent global narratives.
- Artists: John Akomfrah
- People: John Akomfrah
- Galleries: Lisson Gallery
- Museums: Natural History Museum, London
- Locations: London
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