Climate change. The uncertainty and unpredictability for the future, with a massive responsibility in the present to make the changes necessary to live sustainably as a species on our planet. It is an exciting time with old systems being overturned, people questioning authority and the collapse of failing financial systems causing revolutionary approaches to survival. The importance of playing an active role in finding solutions towards sustainability and exploring the role art can play within that is becoming the driver of my work at the moment.

Art has the ability to create awareness, and generate empathy and compassion through its content. Public art nurtures confidence by giving people a voice and by bringing communities together. Inspiring workshops deepens a connection with the material through the creative process. Content gets internalised, stimulating further interests and thinking patterns. 

Art can inspire activism by personalising the debilitating abstract concepts around climate change by helping us to understanding our role within it.

I was fortunate to connect with the directors of the previous Pierian Centre in Bristol, as well as the local Council Environmental Officer. We conceived a project within the Easton Community called LITTERARTI, which aligns our passions to be actively involved in tackling environmental problems on a community level.

Through this project we explore how civic engagement by the thriving artist community in Easton can be encouraged and to build a vehicle which enables a sustainable model to support that.

Utilising the opportunity and exposure of the popular Easton Arts Trail weekend 13-15 June, we are exhibiting litter sculptures co-created by local students and professional recycling artists along the Bath/Bristol cycle path and in an adjacent park. The sculptures will be the main attraction of a widely publicised and well attended community event, organised with the local council.

After this exhibition the project continues by moving to other venues, where workshops will be run with additional artists for charities and youth groups. We are using this project to build a team and plan to extend this concept across Bristol into next year.

I have placed myself 100% into this project, building on my skills and experience from my previous career in the digital sector, originally as Illustrator and Flash Designer, Graphic Designer and as Creative Digital Producer for the last 4 years, as well as experience working in schools with disabled students.

I am hoping to use this project as a platform to launch my artistic career in establishing a sustainable model in contributing to solutions about climate change, while financing my personal art projects.