Land Art / Environmental Art (late 1960s and 1970s onwards)
Land Art emerged in the late 1960s and 1970s, primarily in the United States and Britain, as artists began to move away from galleries and traditional materials. Instead, they worked directly in the landscape, using earth, rock, water, and natural processes.
This movement was partly a reaction against the commercialisation of art, as well as a desire to reconnect with nature. Many works are large-scale and temporary, shaped by weather and time.
Land Art shifts the focus from the art object to experience, process, and environment, encouraging viewers to think about their relationship with the natural world
Artworks to be inspired by-
You may like to think of your own way of creating art with natural items.
Andy Goldsworthy - Rowan Leaves and Hole
Date: 1987
Medium: Natural materials (rowan leaves arranged on the ground)
This work consists of a carefully arranged circle of bright red rowan leaves placed on the ground, with a small empty space or “hole” at the centre. The leaves are selected and positioned by hand, often graded subtly in colour to create a sense of movement and harmony.
The circular form draws the eye inward, while the contrast between the vibrant leaves and the surrounding earth or grass makes the work feel both delicate and striking. Despite its simplicity, the piece has a strong presence, almost like a quiet intervention in the landscape.
This artwork perfectly represents Land Art because it is created directly in nature using materials found on site. There is no separation between the artwork and its environment—it exists as part of it.
Goldsworthy’s work also highlights key ideas of the movement:
Ephemerality – the leaves will dry, move, or decay
Process over product – the act of making is as important as the final image
Connection to nature – working with natural forms rather than imposing on them
Unlike large-scale Land Art works, this piece is intimate and accessible, making it ideal for students to understand the core ideas of the movement.
Date: 1973–1976
Medium: Concrete cylinders in landscape (earthwork)
Sun Tunnels consists of four large concrete cylinders arranged in the Utah desert. Each tunnel is aligned with the sun during solstices, and small holes in the structures create patterns of light that shift throughout the day.
Holt’s work is a powerful example of Land Art because it connects sculpture, landscape, and time. Rather than dominating the environment, the work interacts with it—framing views, capturing light, and encouraging the viewer to move through the space. It highlights the movement’s focus on experience, perception, and the relationship between humans and nature.
Artists to Research:
Robert Smithson Spiral Jetty
Nancy Holt
Ana Mendieta Created powerful, temporary works using her body and natural materials, often exploring identity and belonging.
Agnes Denes Combined environmental art with conceptual ideas, including large-scale ecological works.
Mary Miss Known for site-specific installations that invite viewers to move through and experience space.
Other Research:
Find out more about Nancy Holts Sun Tunnels