Getty Conservation Institute 240d ago

Drawing on a wide-ranging practice that includes painting, sculpture, video, installation, and performance, Rodney McMillian interrogates political and social systems while embedding meaning into the fabric of his materials. In “Rodney McMillian: Soot to Soil” (2025), the artist reflects on how his work transforms commonplace materials—such as vinyl flooring, bedding, and furniture—into visceral explorations of history, power, and lived experience. The film highlights how ideas of value, change and the constructed nature of meaning are not only central to his practice, but also shape how his work should be conserved over time. This video is part of Getty Conservation Institute's Artist Dialogues video series. This film was developed in collaboration with independent curator jill moniz. Explore the Artist Dialogues series here: https://gty.art/3YPhHXs