“I created these posters because I wanted to put across the message that it doesn’t take much to save the planet that we live on. If everyone just did small things to help it would make a massive difference.” Megan Wright.
Last month I went to see an exhibition of artwork on display at my local library. It was work created by art students studying for the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at Suffolk New College in Ipswich.
The brief for the students was to creatively tackle the issue of sustainability and their explorations were displayed around the Ipswich County Library.
“In a world where the fight never ends, we continue to contribute to a problem as we are fighting it. The textile industry generates more than 15 million tons of used textiles each year in the United States alone, and the amount has doubled over the last 20 years.” William Board.
This interesting exhibition was a collaboration between Suffolk Libraries and Suffolk New College with BLOC hosting the event. What or who are BLOC you’re thinking. Actually BLOC is an acronym that stands for Building Libraries on Creativity. It is Suffolk Libraries’ creative youth arts programme which has the aim to use creativity as a catalyst to improve young people’s resilience and wellbeing, and to change perceptions of libraries and how they serve the community, with a focus on young people. It was certainly great to see the thoughtful and compelling work created by the students. However, it was a little chilling that there was a definite grim edge to their assessment of where they think we currently are with the issue of sustainability.
“A piece that captures the struggle to maintain ‘ethical sustainability’. Depicting the fight between good and evil, in the form of the angel and the devil. Painted using fabric paint on calico fabric, and etched using a drypoint technique over the top.” Imogen Howe.
I think any endeavour to get youngsters into libraries is welcome and holding exhibitions and other events helps to highlight the presence of libraries and also broaden their appeal for the wider community.
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Agnes Ashe 
Most interesting, thanks for sharing.
Thank you. I like to see work from the young students and a local library is an easily accessible venue.
If only I agreed that ‘it doesn’t take much to save the planet’ and that small efforts from everyone would do the trick. Still, the young do seem to be the ones trying to make sure something big happens.
Yes, I thought that perhaps some of the youngsters were a little overoptimistic when it’s actually whole systems change that is needed as soon as possible.
The clothing disposability is huge worldwide. Staying home and isolating reduces the amount of clothing we need – I wonder whether that will transform into a difference after we emerge from the virus?
Good question – I can tell you right now people certainly aren’t buying fancy, silk scarves during this pandemic – obviously they’re not a necessity. I think many craftspeople are in the same boat in a way like culture in general and sport too are non essential extras when society is on the ropes.