Natural History Museum announces Arcadia by Sir John Akomfrah

Audiences will be able to witness the impact of the Columbian Exchange, the historical mass movement of plants, people, animals, precious metals, commodities, technology, diseases and ideas between the Americas, Afro-Eurasia and Europe, in this multi-screen installation. 

 

Accompanied by a striking soundtrack featuring nature sounds, opera and poetry, Arcadia explores the lasting environmental and social impacts of this exchange. 

 

The exhibition is part of the Jerwood Contemporary Arts Programme which connects audiences and artists to the natural world.   

 

Alex Burch, Director of Public Programmes at the Museum, said:  

Sir John Akomfrah is one of the most significant artists working today, creating works that challenge us to think differently about our place in the world. Arcadia brings together powerful human stories with sweeping visions of the natural world, inviting visitors to consider how migration, trade and empire have shaped both people and planet. We're delighted to host its London debut at the Natural History Museum, where these themes invite reflection on our relationship with the world around us.

Arcadia will be free for all visitors to the Natural History Museum and will run from 6 November 2026 until May 2027. Just under an hour long, the film will play on a loop in the Jerwood Gallery.  

 

October 30, 2026