Having long served humans as a source of artistic inspiration for centuries, nature and its elements are now undergoing a rapid extinction, a global issue we all refer to as the climate crisis. Currently, some contemporary artists are using their work to raise awareness. Sustainable Art is a new genre of art that was born out of this endeavor.
Artists around the world are using a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, installation, and performance to promote environmental problems. In this mission, the contemporary sculpture may be considered as one of the closest allies of sustainable art. This art form, which dates back less than a century and has pushed the boundaries of modern sculpture, provides sustainable art the experimental freedom it requires. Contemporary sculpture allows sustainable art to employ any material it requires, thus creating impactful and provocative works.
Sculptures made from waste or recycled materials form the backbone of environmental art, a substantial part of sustainable art. Contemporary sculpture welcomes materials that may not be seen as suitable for art at first glance, and hence, the media is indispensable.
Log Henge-Spirits of the Forest by Laury Dizengremel is a sculptural installation made up of 10 logs cut from dead-standing trees. By recycling dead trees, the artist has created a permanent public art piece. Her project has made a positive impact on the environment and represents the possibilities artists can be inspired by nature to create awareness.
Robert Bradford produces vibrantly colored and textured sculptures using old and discarded toys. In his sculptures, the artist uses obsolete toys that are no longer useful in their original shape, thus preventing them from becoming landfill. Some of his works contain up to 3,000 pieces of toys.
Sustainable art encompasses more than just creations from waste or recycled materials. Art that seeks to benefit both people and nature is sustainable. As part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Support, one of the most well-known sculptures by Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn, was created and installed in Venice to serve as a reminder of the rising sea level in Venice and all coastal cities.
The wooden sculptures created by the Italian sculptor Willy Verginer with ecological concerns fascinate viewers. Oil barrels and splatters are used to accent the minimalistic paintings of various animals. The barrels’ metallic or gray hues transfer to the human or animal they contact, merging the natural and unnatural worlds together. Verginer refers to this as an “aggressive” act, signifying how man is contaminating his environment. By doing so, the artist highlights nature’s fragility and implores his audience to preserve it.
Art is not only a means of unrestricted self-expression. It is also about responding to social issues and raising consciousness. The materials utilized in everyday life appear to provide far greater potential for art in the future. As modern sculpture pushes the boundaries of art, it uses a variety of materials and incorporates sustainable art practices to produce works that are beautiful and good for both the environment and people.
Photo Credit: “‘Soutien’ de Lorenzo Quinn (Grand Canal, Venise)” by dalbera is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
