October 23, 2026 – January 18, 2027 | Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Spanning 180 years of photography, Beneath the Surface: Mining and American Photography examines how artists have documented mining, drilling, and the extraction of natural resources across the United States. Featuring David Maisel’s American Mine, Carlin, Nevada 1 (2007) alongside work by historical and contemporary photographers, the exhibition explores the environmental, social, and human consequences of resource extraction, including its effects on landscapes and communities. Organized by the National Gallery of Art in collaboration with the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the exhibition is co-curated by Kristen Gaylord and Diane Waggoner.
