Carolina Caycedo London, b. 1978
"Casting a spell has to do with tapping into as many senses as I can. Art has a lot of power to do this and to stir empathy. The idea is to tap into senses to generate empathy, and ultimately provide statistics and data in a way that is not cold, empirical and boring. It should spark an interest and challenge the way we relate to nature, which is currently permeated through a colonial perspective."Caolina Caycedo
Carolina Caycedo is a Colombian multidisciplinary artist known for her work in performance, installation, drawing, photography, and video. Born in 1978 in London to Colombian parents, she grew up in Bogotá, where she developed a deep interest in environmental and social justice issues. Her art explores themes of sustainability, land and water rights, community resistance, and the impact of extractivism on ecosystems and indigenous communities.
Caycedo’s work is highly collaborative, often engaging with local communities, activists, and environmental organizations to create projects that challenge colonial and capitalist systems of exploitation. She is widely recognized for her “Be Dammed” series, an ongoing body of work that investigates the effects of hydroelectric dams on rivers and the communities that depend on them. Through large-scale installations, videos, and performances, she highlights the consequences of resource extraction and advocates for environmental justice.
Her practice extends beyond traditional art spaces, incorporating activism and public engagement. She has participated in major international exhibitions, including the São Paulo Biennial, Venice Biennale, and Whitney Biennial, and her works are held in prestigious collections such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Tate Modern in London.
By blending art and activism, Carolina Caycedo challenges power structures and offers alternative ways of thinking about nature, land, and belonging. She continues to be a significant voice in contemporary art, using her work as a platform for ecological awareness and social change.
