Concrete Ecologies is an exhibition that expands on Ruth Sacks’ new artist book, The Remaindering. The book work and accompanying artworks all explore man-made constructions that no longer function along the lines that their makers originally intended. Dislocated architectural parts, fragments of sculptures, never-realised plans, colonial remains and unfinished infrastructural elements are represented in an ecosystem of artist books, prints and installations within the studio at Pulp Paperworks. Taking a perspective from the postcolonial African city of Kinshasa, the narrative of each remainder reflects on what is left of colonial relations that helped shape urban space. The remaindering process relates to how constructions that no longer participate in the everyday city have weathered and taken on a life of their own. Bound by the artist’s personal research narrative and the qualities of the various mediums employed, Concrete Ecologies gives marginalia and ‘ephemera from the field’ centre stage. 

Photo Credit: Ngoma Kamphahlele