It is evident that our planet today does not look the same as it did hundreds of years ago. Our once clear, blue oceans are now filled with tens of millions of tons of plastic debris, and our once vast, open skies with twinkling stars are now filled with smog and other pollutants. As society advances, it brings both benefits and drawbacks along with it. Some major accompaniments of these developments are environmental issues, such as increased pollution, resource extraction and habitat destruction.
Many people dedicate their lives to combating these growing issues by leveraging knowledge obtained from degrees or status earned from government positions to foster change. However, people don’t realize that change can be smaller as well—you don’t need some fancy degree or official position to fight for issues you are passionate about. Instead, all you need to do is to look around to find opportunities. Even locally, in the midst of our bustling communities, lies a canvas ripe with potential for change. Art has emerged as a strong tool in the fight for environmental preservation. From intricate murals to temporary sidewalk sketches, artists around the world are harnessing their creative talents to raise awareness and inspire action on pressing ecological concerns.
Younger generations appear to be extremely keen on protesting for the environment as they are motivated to create a healthier, more sustainable world for themselves and future generations. Walt Whitman junior artist Katie Marshall believes that the environment should be a more pressing concern for others her age due to its relevance to their lives.
“The planet that we’re living on is the only planet that we get,” she said. “If we do enough to harm it, we won’t be able to get it back.”
Marshall has proven that there are no limitations when it comes to art. All unconventional sorts of canvases can be used for art pieces, as demonstrated by her particular form of art. She explained how she uses non-toxic chalk on the sidewalk in her neighborhood to create drawings related to environmental issues. It’s a simple yet impactful way of raising awareness and sparking conversations about pressing concerns related to our world.
One of Marshall’s most striking pieces depicts a whale decorated with various types of trash—plastic water bottles, soda cans, and styrofoam containers—all cleverly arranged to resemble the creature’s form. Spouting from its blowhole are plastic bags formed in the classic fountain shape that one may find coming from a typical whale. The materials drawn as the whale’s base are meant to symbolize the trash that underwater animals accidentally consume, and how these animals are now almost “made up” of trash. It is a visual narrative that speaks volumes about the urgent need for change.
These artworks have been producing position reactions, with viewers often intrigued and impressed by the overall concept.
“One time when I was making a drawing, somebody who was walking came up to me and asked me about it,” Marshall said. “He said that he admired my work and was happy that somebody was talking about environmental issues.”
One prominent question, however, is “Why art?” The answer is clear. Art is a universal language, independent of factors like culture, age and background. It has the unique ability to communicate complex ideas and evoke emotional responses in ways that words alone cannot. It allows people to spread messages through vibrant colors and various mediums to audiences worldwide. In a world overwhelmed by environmental challenges, art remains a strong source of optimism. It has no restrictions—anything can be art, and anyone can make art. Art is an opportunity for people to use their creativity to express themselves and the topics they care about.
“I know that my drawings alone won’t immediately do anything to help the earth,” Marshall said, “but I make them in the hopes that people who can create change will see them do something about them.”
Article Written by Sahana Thyagarajan of Walt Whitman High School
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons