Surprisingly Natural grew out of a desire to explore the importance of nature as an essential element in the fabric of the Bronx – an urban county with, remarkably, almost 25% park land – at a time when the urban landscape is rapidly changing through development and ecological restoration efforts. New York City offers many opportunities for iconic and recognizable vistas and, not surprisingly, Brooklyn and Manhattan have a greater pull for contemporary photographers. Indeed, photography of the Bronx has focused on either its blight or its vibrant street and family life. Many of the views presented in this exhibition are known primarily to residents who frequent these places but all deserve to be better appreciated.

The photographs on view in Glyndor Gallery and Wave Hill House offer a counterpoint to Wave Hill’s cultivated 28 acres, and also affirm the variety of surprisingly beautiful places in the Bronx. These photographs are the result of extensive exploration on the part of the artists. While many of the artists have wide interests and other practices that complement their photography, they share an interest in uncovering the overlooked and seeking out the beauty in the shadows. Surprisingly Natural presents an intriguing range of photographic techniques from 19th-century tintypes to 21st-century HDR imaging. We hope that it will inspire visitors to contemplate the nature in their neighborhood with a fresh eye and optimism.

Surprisingly Natural is a three-part collaboration; visit concurrent exhibitions at the Bronx River Art Center September 12–October 18, and Lehman College Art Gallery September 9–December 15.

Wave Hill expresses sincere gratitude to the artists for their dedication to uncovering the nature of the Bronx, and to Sonnabend Gallery, New York, NY. We thank the National Endowment for the Arts for recognizing the significance of this topic and supporting the opportunity for us to work with the Bronx River Art Center and the Lehman College Art Gallery. The project is a true collaboration, where the sum of the three exhibitions is far more expansive than any one of us could realize individually.

View catalogue

View essay by Leslie day

Public Programs

Exhibition Tours: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 12 noon and Saturdays at 2:15pm.

Group tours can be arranged by calling Linda Allen at 718.549.3200 x209.

Friday, September 12, 10am-1pm Art Workshop: Nature Photography Series – Session 1.

Sunday, September 14, 1-4pm Exhibition Reception.

Saturday, Sunday, October 4, 5 3:30pm Open House New York Photographer Talks.

Saturday, October 18, 11am-3pm Art and Nature Tour: The Nature of the Bronx – Trolley Tour.

Saturday, September 20, 12 noon-4pm Bronx Bike Tour - Pelham Bay Park / Orchard Beach / City Island: Artist Bettina Johae will lead a bike tour through the natural terrain of the northeastern edge of the Bronx. The bike tour covers approximately 12 miles (+4 miles back to the subway) and lasts approximately 4 hours. Riders should be prepared to bike at a medium pace, through paved and unpaved trails. The tour is not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Free of charge. RSVP required; be@bettinajohae.com / 20 people maximum. Rain Date: Saturday, October 11, 12 noon-4pm. Starts/Meets: Pelham Bay Park Subway Stop, #6 Train, exit towards the park and meet at the end of the bridge. Ends: City Island with complimentary lunch at the home of Bronx River Art Center’s Executive Director, Gail Nathan.

Thursday, October 16, 12:15-1:30 Artists from the exhibition will talk about their work as part of the City and the Humanities Series. Free of charge. Meets at Lehman College Art Gallery.

Other Resources

Bronx River Alliance
Bronx River Art Center
Lehman College Art Gallery
Leslie Day, naturalist and author
New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
New York Restoration Project

SURPRISINGLY NATURAL: THE NATURE OF THE BRONX is made possible, in part, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, the Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Target, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and the New York State Council on the Arts – a state agency.

The Arts at Wave Hill are sponsored by