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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Design Exhibition Scotland are delighted to announce an open call to artists, makers, craftspeople, and designers based in Scotland to submit expressions of interest to exhibit in Earth Matters at Inverleith House Gallery, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The exhibition will open in March 2026 and run until October 2026. The deadline for submissions is 9am on Friday, 23rd May. Earth Matters marks the tercentenary of the birth of Edinburgh-born geologist, writer, farmer, and chemist James Hutton (1726-1797). Often called the father of modern geology, he explored rock formations and paid close attention to the earth beneath our feet soil. Earth Matters is inspired by Hutton and other pioneers who challenged and expanded our understanding of soil. Through art, craft, and design from the 18th century to today, Earth Matters will highlight the beauty and significance of earth. Earth Matters is curated by Susanna Beaumont. Background of Earth Matters James Hutton was a curious explorer and questioner who studied Scotlands landscape and geology. His book, Theory of the Earth (1788), proposed a new way of understanding the world and introduced a much deeper timescale for Earth''s history. His field studies in the Scottish Borders and across Scotland, including Salisbury Crags, Glen Tilt, and Siccar Point, led him to develop the theory of unconformity, viewing rock formations as a record of Earth''s history. John Clerk of Eldin (1728-1812), a fellow student and friend of Hutton, created sketches and ink drawings during these explorations, capturing landscapes and including human elements for scale. These lost drawings, rediscovered in 1968, are now on loan to the Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow. The Exhibition: Earth Matters The exhibition will be inspired by Huttons writings, especially his unpublished Elements of Agriculture, and will trace over 300 years of evolving understanding of soil through artworks. It will include references to Darwins The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Worms, T B Macaulays work on soil research, Lady Eve Balfours The Living Soil, Rachel Carsons Silent Spring, recent soil science conferences, and regenerative farming practices. How to Apply We invite Scottish artists, makers, craftspeople, and designers to submit work that connects visitors with the earth, soil, and ground beneath our feet. You may propose using soil as a pigment or material, create sculptures, textiles, or artworks inspired by soil landscapes, urban or rural, or explore sustainable building techniques like earth buildings or clay plasters. Proposals can be for new or existing work. Selected artists will receive a fee of 750. Application requirements: Name, address, contact details (required) Links to website/Instagram (optional) Up to 400 words on your practice and interest in Earth Matters (required) If proposing new work, include a brief outline and rough budget If proposing existing work, include an image, dimensions, and description Optional: 5 recent images of work Optional: CV Send your expressions of interest by email to susanna@designexhibitonscotland.co.uk by 9am on Friday, 23 May 2025. Voice messages are welcome. Successful applicants will be notified in the week commencing 9 June. Additional Notes In 1978, the lost drawings were published in James Huttons Theory of the Earth The Lost Drawings. These works reveal Huttons genius and highlight John Clerk of Eldins contribution. The drawings and manuscripts deepen respect for Huttons work and illustrate the partnership between philosopher and artist. As noted by Professors Craig, McIntyre, and Waterston, these visual representations played a crucial role in Enlightenment science, helping to categorize and understand natural phenomena through new visual languages. #J-18808-Ljbffr