Political Ecology in Baatarzorig’s Art: Mongolia Is in Business

Abstract

This article will focus on Baatra’s two paintings, the Nomad (2013) and MGL (2018) and will argue that Baatra’s works demonstrate that the marketization of nature is indeed a part of neoliberalism in Mongolia, and thus support the geographer Neil Smith’s argument of the “capitalization of nature.” Such artistic engagement with environmental issues can also be seen internationally, and proves these issues are relevant beyond the Mongolian focus of the works concerned. How, then, does Baatarzorig help us to advance the discussion of political ecology seen in the contemporary artistic practices around the globe, and beyond Euramerica?