Sustainable Art Helps Sustain Our Future
Humans have always turned to art as a method of expressing emotions and connecting through shared universal experiences, and as the importance of environmental conservation has become more apparent in society, there have been incredible developments within the industry of sustainable art that serves to educate and empower us to make sustainable choices. All forms of art are excellent forms of creative expression, but here are three unique benefits of the industry of sustainable art:
Art and Activism: Drive Awareness Towards Environmental Issues
Many people choose to be blissfully ignorant, refusing to face the truth about the detrimental impact human consumerism has on the planet – we all know the quote: “out of sight, out of mind.” Despite the adverse odds of our society taking drastic action, artists continue to advocate for the environment by creating sustainable art that opposes this ignorance and acts to educate others about climate change.
Humans are highly influenced by the shared views of society around them, so it is an excellent opportunity to instill awareness of the environmental consequences of our actions through sustainable art. By magnifying the prevalence of sustainable art, humans are constantly reminded of the importance of preserving the environment and will be more likely to make green decisions and fight for the cause.
Practice What You Preach: Art Created by Recycled Materials
Sustainable art offers a unique extension of an artistic theme by allowing artists to create their artwork using sustainable practices that further demonstrate the theme. After all, can you think of a better way to teach recycling than creating art using recycled materials? Here are some examples of the ways artists have utilized sustainable practices within their creative process:
Sculptures of marine life crafted from trash collected from the ocean
Washed Ashore is an incredible non-profit organization dedicated to creating aesthetically powerful art that educates its audience about ocean pollution in hopes of inspiring actionable change.
One-of-a-kind garments created from repurposed clothes
With a passion for generating climate awareness and encouraging mindful consumer habits, Mara Hoffman’s designs don’t have to sacrifice style as she creates stunning collections using sustainable materials.
Quirky jewelry handmade using vintage beads found in thrift stores
Repurposed jewelry is fun, eye-catching, and unique – especially when businesses like Yard Sale Jewelry handpick every bead before reinventing a new and improved design!
“Committed to reducing ocean plastic waste and educating for change.”
Innovative collages developed using a combination of recycled textures and layers
Tools, technique, and approach can all influence the outcome of artwork, and Dolan Geiman takes a sustainable approach to all, creating meaningful collages from all types of recycled materials that he has collected throughout his life.
Truly impactful artwork will intrigue you from the surface level and captivate you as you discover the depth. Sustainable artists have elevated their work one step further by utilizing recycled materials that would’ve otherwise gone to waste and repurposing them into meaningful masterpieces.
Photo Credit: Sarah Loetscher
Challenge Your Creativity: Make More From Less
Humans have become unnervingly comfortable with the convenience of single-use plastics and other forms of packaging that have left our world in a state of overconsumption and overabundance. Recycling allows people to be conscious of the quality and quantity of items they use and encourages them to repurpose items in new and creative ways: what an exciting artistic challenge!
As an artist, limiting yourself to only using recycled materials requires innovation and thinking outside of the box, which allows them to grow and refine their technical skills. Furthermore, as artists reinvent used materials into a new masterpiece, they can create something beautiful while feeling fulfilled that their work educates and supports the movement towards a sustainable future.
Exposing themes of sustainability throughout artforms supports the goal of nurturing the earth, fighting for conservation, and advocating for a cultural shift towards a sustainable mindset. Whether appreciating, purchasing or creating sustainable art yourself, every ounce of energy spent towards this cause is a unifying step in the right direction towards a greener future.
