Can museums become engines of climate action?
Kenneth Paranada, the UK’s first curator of art and climate change, believes they can, and his work at the Sainsbury Centre is proving it. In a thought-provoking talk, Paranada explored how art can help us imagine new worlds, spark dialogue, and inspire action on the most pressing issue of our time.
A Radical Idea: Art is Alive
Since 2022, the Sainsbury Centre at the University of East Anglia has embraced a bold philosophy: art is alive. Every object is treated as having a soul, deepening human connections with creativity. This approach builds on the legacy of Lisa and Robert Sainsbury, whose collection of 5,000–7,000 objects provided the foundation for the Centre.
Paranada’s role is groundbreaking. He not only curates exhibitions but also forges partnerships with scientists and institutions worldwide, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada. His mission is to embed climate challenges into exhibitions, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and addressing global issues through collaborative strategies informed by cutting-edge research.
Beyond Facts: Telling Human Stories
Paranada argues that climate communication must reach beyond data. Museums, he suggests, should become civic spaces for conversations about climate anxieties, geopolitics, and sustainability. His approach reimagines every aspect of museum practice, from exhibition design to operational decisions, to ensure ecological sensitivity and circularity. The goal is clear, to develop exhibitions that not only inform but genuinely move people to act.
Case Studies That Inspire
Sediment Spirit (2022–23)
Could humanity imagine a world powered by clean energy and free from environmental exploitation? This exhibition explored that question through a kaleidoscope of global art, unpacking the complexities of human impact on the planet. Works by Derek Tumala, Shireen Seno, Paola Nazareth, and Superflex reframed our relationship with Earth, while the materials themselves told stories of colonialism and resource extraction.
Farmers of Norfolk
A commission with artist Ivan Morrison engaged local farming communities in dialogue about pesticides and regenerative practices. The resulting sculpture, made from organic materials, was designed to return nutrients to the land, a striking example of “metabolic art” that gives back to nature.
Can the Sea Survive Us?
This project traced historical migrations from the Low Countries to East Anglia, linking them to contemporary oceanic challenges. Through artistic and scientific collaboration, it explored rising seas, coastal erosion, and the unseen impacts of nuclear testing on marine life. Community programming in Great Yarmouth added a local dimension to global concerns.
Why It Matters
Paranada’s work demonstrates how museums can innovate for the 21st century, commissioning art that regenerates, creating spaces for climate dialogue, and modeling sustainable practices. His approach transforms exhibitions into experiences that inspire empathy and action.
The talk was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from the South West Fed audience, who described it as “visionary” and “deeply inspiring.”
