Artist Phil Lambert Creates World's Largest Soil Painting

Artist Phil Lambert has set a new world record for the largest soil painting, aiming to highlight the global importance of soil health. Verified by the UK-based Official Record Breakers, this artwork measures 61,000 square centimeters (approximately 6.1 square meters), surpassing the previous record.

Lambert's creation is part of a broader awareness campaign by the Save Soil movement, advocating for soil regeneration to be prioritized, especially ahead of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP).

Highlights

• Artist Phil Lambert created a soil painting measuring 61,000 cm², setting a new world record.
• The artwork aims to raise awareness about the importance of soil health and highlight soil regeneration in combating climate change.
• Four types of soil were used, collected from the artist's garden, his mother's home, and donated by the James Hutton Institute.
• The Save Soil movement encourages governments to develop policies for improving soil health worldwide.
• Experts emphasize that healthy soils regulate water, store carbon, and underpin biodiversity and food systems.

Details

Phil Lambert, who resides in Cardiff, used soil from his own garden and his mother's home, along with donations from the James Hutton Institute in Scotland, to create his piece. The painting, made on an upcycled wooden frame and canvas supplied by Oxford Wood Recycling, was developed at University College London (UCL).

The Save Soil campaign aims to collaborate with governments globally to shape policies that improve soil health. The campaign stresses the critical role of healthy soils in mitigating climate change. Mark Maslin, a climate scientist and professor at UCL, stated that healthy soils "regulate water, store carbon, and underpin biodiversity and food systems."

Why it matters

This artwork serves as a visual call to action regarding the vital importance of soil health for our planet and its role in combating climate change. Despite being the planet's quiet infrastructure and one of our greatest climate solutions, soil often remains largely invisible in national climate plans. This record-breaking painting powerfully conveys the message that soil regeneration must be at the heart of every nation's climate strategy.