That the current times are the most important times for climate action and environment is hardly a debatable truth. A massive number of protestors have been mobilised in the last one year to speak up for the earth. Inspiring campaigns initiated by a sixteen year old and other efforts united more than just a generation for the environment, and artists are no exception.
“The question is whether any civilization can wage relentless war on life without destroying itself, and without losing the right to be called civilized.” ~ Rachel Louise Carson
Reflecting on these ecological crises, many contemporary artists are now environmental activists, showing us that art can pave a way and be a beacon of hope and inspiration, compelling us to act.
The “Greta Thunberg Effect,” as it is now called, has inspired installations like that by artist Michael Pinsky; a multimedia work by Justin Brice Guariglia; a mural by the street artist Jody Thomas; portraits by the painter Elizabeth Peyton and the photographer Hellen van Meene; and an exhibition by the curator Francesca Pietropaolo.
As wildfires ignite across the world from South America to Australia, as sea levels rise and forests get destroyed for development projects, this World Environment Day, we revisit the works of some artists whose practice is preoccupied with questions of nature and species extinction, habitat loss, and climate change.
Maya Lin
Artist, architect, and environmentalist, Maya Lin’s work is deeply connected to effects of climate change on the environment, habitat loss and extinction, and diminishing waterways and rivers. Lin’s most recent collaboration with WWF designing rugs inspired by Tibetan tiger rugs to raise funds in support of tiger conservation efforts is just one of the artists commitments to raising awareness on the plight of endangered species. Her project titled What is Missing? is a cross platform global memorial to the planet, located in select museums, a website, and book, that calls attention to issues surrounding biodiversity and habitat loss through history and scale.
Rithika Merchant
Rithika Merchant’s practice is influenced by nature and mythology, and 17th century botanical drawing and folk art. Through her work, Merchant explores symbols, stories, and ideas that are common to multiple religions and cultures. Merchant’s work deals with issues of migration and the role of water in migration, and is filled with mythological elements and images of extinct species.
Kiki Smith
Kiki Smith explores the connections between the body and the natural world, and the interconnectedness between plants and animals. Smith works with a variety of mediums including sculpture, printmaking, photography, drawing and textiles, to investigate the emotional and physical complexities of nature. Through her practice, Smith draws connections between humans and animals and the precarious relationship between the two. Like Maya Lin, Smith has also recently collaborated with WWF to design a rug to help raise funds for the Tomorrow’s Tigers Initiative.
Raqib Shaw
Influenced by a variety of elements from his diverse cultural background, Raqib Shaw’s draws from mythological, literary, scientific and cultural references that range Hindu mythology, Kashmiri shawls, Persian craft, Baroque and renaissance iconography, Japanese wedding kimonos, and miniature drawing. Using rich and intricate detailing, Shaw creates hybrid creatures from mythology and nature, drawing attention to the connections between different species and creatures. Through his work, Shaw celebrates the diversity of nature and culture, and the idea of a society free of restraint.
In the words of US artist Justin Brice Guariglia, these “very important, very urgent, very existential” issues require an “exceptionally good communicator” to really convey the urgency of the problem, and these artists are doing an applaudable job. You can read about the eco-art recommendations of leading artists and art galleries here.