Sustainable art is a growing movement within the creative industry that seeks to marry artistic expression with environmental responsibility and ethical considerations. Our world is facing pressing environmental challenges, and the art world is not exempt from the need for sustainability.
Today, we’ll discuss sustainable art, why it matters, and how you can actively participate in this inspiring joint venture of creativity and conscience.
What Is Sustainable Art?
Sustainable art, like art itself, defies a one-size-fits-all definition. Instead, it encompasses a wide range of artistic practices that prioritize environmental, social, and economic sustainability throughout the creative process.
While it can be expressed in various forms, from visual arts to eco-friendly fashion and installation art, the common thread is a commitment to responsible and ethical art-making.
Sustainable artists often employ eco-conscious materials, minimize waste, and engage with themes related to environmental and societal issues. They aim to reduce the carbon footprint of the art industry and promote awareness about pressing ecological challenges.
Why Should People Care About Sustainable Art?
Environmental Impact
Like many others, the art industry has historically contributed to environmental degradation by using non-sustainable materials and wasteful practices.
We can help change that.
By embracing sustainable art, we can significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with art creation. This includes using eco-friendly materials, repurposing existing resources, and minimizing waste, all of which contribute to a greener planet.
Social and Cultural Awareness
Sustainable art often serves as a powerful medium for raising awareness about critical environmental issues, social injustices, and cultural phenomena. Artists can use their work to provoke thought and spark conversations that lead to positive societal change. Art can transcend language barriers and connect with people deeply, and emotionally, making it a potent tool for social and cultural transformation.
Ethical Consumption
By supporting sustainable art, individuals can make ethical and responsible choices as consumers. Purchasing sustainable art or supporting artists who prioritize sustainability aligns with a conscious consumer’s values and encourages ethical consumption in the art world.
Reducing Consumption and Consumerism through Sustainable Art
In addition to its environmental and social benefits, sustainable art offers a compelling alternative to the consumer-driven culture we often see in the art and craft world.
Sustainable artists challenge the notion that art must be created from new materials by advocating for reduced consumption and embracing the use of free, upcycled, or donated materials.
Embracing Minimalism and Resourcefulness
Sustainable artists often adopt minimalist approaches to their practice, focusing on resourcefulness and creativity rather than excessive consumption. By utilizing existing materials or repurposing discarded objects, they demonstrate the potential for artistic expression without perpetuating the cycle of consumption.
Rejecting the Throwaway Culture
So often, we are marketed to with a strong emphasis on mass-produced goods and disposable commodities. Sustainable art serves as a potent rejection of the throwaway and opens our minds to better alternatives.
By transforming discarded materials into meaningful artworks, sustainable artists encourage viewers to reconsider their relationship with objects and the value of repurposing and upcycling.
Fostering a Culture of Generosity and Collaboration
Working with free or donated materials reduces environmental impact and fosters a culture of generosity and collaboration within the artistic community. Artists who share resources or participate in material exchange programs contribute to a sense of solidarity and mutual support, challenging the competitive ethos often associated with the art world.
Empowering Creativity Beyond Commercial Constraints
By embracing free or upcycled materials, artists liberate themselves from the financial constraints of traditional art-making, opening up possibilities for experimentation and innovation. This democratization of access to art materials enables individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in creative expression, regardless of economic status or privilege.
Inspiring Conscious Consumption
Through their work, sustainable artists inspire audiences to reconsider their consumption habits and the impact of their choices on the environment. By showcasing the beauty and potential of upcycled materials, they encourage viewers to adopt a more mindful approach to consumption that prioritizes sustainability and ethical considerations.
Spotlight on Sustainable Artists & Creatives
It has been my great pleasure to interview Alesha Pendell and pick her brain regarding sustainable art and her down-to-earth approach to life.
SSGL: Please tell us a little about yourself and your journey.
Alesha:
My name Alesha Pendell and I have always enjoyed sewing, building and creating. I used to be a teacher and would often use my creativity and resourcefulness in the classroom.
When I had my twin girls,13 years ago, I quit working to stay home and got the opportunity to sew and sell handmade dresses in a store in Ithaca, New York.
Through that experience, I gained a great deal of knowledge in children’s fashion and creating a product people would want to buy. I partnered with a local fabric resale shop (Sew Green) to get many of my vintage fabrics.
When the store closed, I needed to find another outlet to build and create. It came with making my children’s clothes but also creating fantastic Halloween trunk or treat costumes and displays.
I also began homeschooling my girls and we used every opportunity to create with other children in co-ops and homeschool gatherings. Homeschooling can be an expense and I always tried to provide free or very cheap classes for my students.
Some of my favorites where simple machines, Rube Goldberg Machines, Pen Pals class, and making dresses for girls in Uganda. All these classes were run by using repurposed materials or recycled items.
SSGL: What inspired you to incorporate sustainability into your art practice?
Alesha:
I think my ability to use sustainable materials comes from growing up with less than most. We never went hungry but we definilty didn’t have all the fancy things my friends had.
Then it was reinforced when I worked in a program with low-income and underprivileged kids.
Working as teacher I didn’t have extra money myself to enhance my program and seeing kids go without made me want to pinch pennies where ever I could. Its more about saving to help others than saving the planet for me. Saving the planet is just a bonus.
It was recently that I was able to see firsthand the impact of true poverty and homelessness through a good friend of mine. Seeing that strengthened my perspective on not being wasteful. Even with something as simple as toilet paper. Most people who receive assistance from food banks and other programs still can’t get toilet paper.
So, when I am going to create a project, I first think what can I use instead of buying and then I think “can someone use this before I destroy it”. Its really cool and a gift to create out of repurposed items, trash and recycled materials but if it’s taking away from someone who is going without and could use it, it’s no gift at all.
The more I use sustainable materials the more it becomes a challenge to spend nothing if I can.
SSGL: How do you source eco-friendly or recycled materials for your art projects?
Alesha:
We have one income so spending money to do art is always in the back of my mind.
I first start by looking through the house to see what items I have that I can use, then I reach out to my local community through a Buy Nothing Facebook Group.
If I still can’t find an item I need, then I turn to my local re-use shop or thrift store. If I still can’t find it, I will likely change my idea unless I can purchase it cheaply.
We are fortunate to have a great community of people who know our family well and know we create often.
This community of people donate materials they are getting rid of. I usually take the items, sort through them and keep what we can (we can’t save everything) and then find someone who can use the rest.
This gives us a huge advantage when looking for materials to create with. We just have to be aware of the space we have and how to store it all so our space doesn’t become so cluttered we can’t use it.
Also, when we get a lot of a certain item, we often ask ourselves what can we make and
what can we do with it.
For example, we were given several large totes of fleece fabric. My daughters gathered their friends and we made small tie blankets for the cat shelter, we also made 50 pairs of mittens for blessing bags for those in need and we had a puppet making class for a co-op theater class.
Sometimes it is looking at what you already have instead what do I need to create a project.
These examples demonstrate the creative potential and the positive change that sustainable art can bring to our world.
Making More Sustainable Art: Tips and Techniques
Now that we understand the significance of sustainable art, here are some practical tips and techniques for artists and enthusiasts to integrate sustainability into their creative practices:
- Use Eco-Friendly and Recycled Materials: Opt for art supplies made from recycled or sustainable materials. Look for certifications like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for paper products.
- Explore Sustainable Mediums: Experiment with eco-friendly art mediums such as water-based paints, natural dyes, or biodegradable materials to reduce the use of harmful chemicals.
- Repurpose and Upcycle: Incorporate discarded objects into your art to give them new life. Upcycling can result in unique and thought-provoking pieces.
- Waste Reduction: Manage art supplies efficiently to reduce waste. Properly store and care for materials to extend their lifespan.
- Collaborate Locally: Support local or sustainable businesses for art supplies, fostering a sense of community and reducing the environmental impact of shipping.
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about sustainable art practices, materials, and techniques. Continuous learning is essential for artists committed to sustainability.
- To inspire your journey into sustainable art, consider exploring the work of artists who have successfully embraced these principles. Their dedication to sustainability serves as a beacon of inspiration for the wider creative community.
Using Sustainable Supplies
Choosing the right art supplies is a crucial step in creating sustainable art. Fortunately, many brands and organizations have recognized the importance of sustainability and offer eco-friendly alternatives for common art supplies. When shopping for supplies, look for products that prioritize sustainability, whether it’s eco-friendly paints, recycled canvases, or brushes made from sustainable materials.
What Can I Do to Support Sustainable Art as an Artist?
You can take several proactive steps to support the movement and integrate eco-conscious practices into your creative process.
Embrace Sustainable Materials and Techniques
- Explore eco-friendly art supplies, such as water-based paints, natural pigments, and recycled paper or canvases.
- To minimize your environmental footprint, experiment with sustainable techniques, such as solar plate printmaking or natural dyeing.
Reduce Waste and Practice Responsible Consumption
- Implement efficient studio practices to minimize waste and reuse materials whenever possible.
- Consider the lifecycle of your art materials and opt for biodegradable or recyclable options to reduce environmental impact.
- Foster collaborations with other artists and organizations dedicated to sustainability, promoting collective action and resource-sharing.
- Participate in material exchange programs or community art projects that prioritize reusing and repurposing materials.
Educate Yourself and Others
- Stay informed about sustainable art practices, attend workshops, and engage in ongoing learning to deepen your understanding of eco-conscious art-making.
- Share your knowledge and experiences with fellow artists and the wider community, advocating for sustainable practices and raising awareness about environmental issues through your artwork.
Advocate for Change
- Use your platform as an artist to advocate for policies and initiatives that support sustainability in the arts, such as funding for eco-friendly art materials or incentives for sustainable art practices.
- Engage with art institutions and galleries to encourage the integration of sustainability criteria in exhibition planning and programming.
- Post challenges to your social media following to create buzz and action.
What Can I Do to Support Sustainable Art as a World Citizen?
Support Sustainable Artists and Initiatives
- Purchase artwork from artists who prioritize sustainability or support sustainable art initiatives and organizations through donations or patronage.
- Attend exhibitions and events that showcase sustainable art and engage with the artists to learn more about their practices and motivations.
- Showcase sustainable art and artists on your social media. This will not only help raise awareness of the issue but also support sustainable artists and may enable them to continue their valuable work.
Advocate for Sustainability in the Arts
- Encourage local arts institutions, galleries, and cultural organizations to prioritize sustainability in their operations and programming.
- Advocate for public policies and funding that support sustainable art practices and promote environmental stewardship within the arts sector.
Educate Yourself and Others
- Take the time to educate yourself about sustainable art practices and the environmental impact of the arts industry.
- Share information and resources with your networks, raising awareness about the importance of sustainable art and inspiring others to take action.
Practice Conscious Consumption
- Be mindful of the environmental impact of your purchasing decisions, opting for artwork and art-related products that are sustainably produced and ethically sourced.
- Support local artists and artisans who prioritize sustainability in their work, contributing to the growth of a vibrant and eco-conscious creative community. Support them by purchasing their art, donating to continue their work, and posting their work on social media. Be sure to cite where they can be contacted.
Engage in Sustainable Lifestyle Choices
- Extend your commitment to sustainability beyond the realm of art by adopting eco-friendly practices in your everyday life, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting sustainable businesses.
Conclusion
Sustainable art is the combination of creativity and conscience. It’s a movement that challenges the status quo of the art industry by prioritizing environmental, social, and ethical considerations. By embracing sustainable art, we can collectively work towards a greener, more aware, and ethically conscious art world.
As we wrap up this exploration of sustainable art, we encourage you to reflect on your role in promoting sustainability within your own creative journey. Whether you’re an artist, an art enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the power of art to inspire change, remember that your choices matter.
Sustainable art is not just a trend; it’s a path toward a better, more responsible future where creativity and conscience coexist in harmony.
What are your thoughts?
Do you have any sustainable art projects you’d like to share? Are there artists or initiatives that have inspired you? Please share your insights and join the conversation in the comments section below.
