JENNIFER WHEELER I B Ye a r 1 3 V i s u a l A r t s E x h i b i t i o n Global warming and pollution are issues that have become increasingly worse in recent years. Living in Asia, I have seen the effects of global warming and pollution first-hand and how our lives have been impacted, particularly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In my artwork I wanted to communicate not only the lifestyle impacts but also the environmental, mental health, and societal consequences of pollution. I hope that by displaying my artwork in a public space in my school, viewers will notice how different ages might interpret the meaning of my pieces and realise the gravity of the issue in order to prevent more harm. Mainly inspired by Kathe Kollwitz, the majority of my artworks are monotone etchings and charcoal pieces. The lack of colour in many of my pieces are used to show our diminishing resources and how throughout unprecedented times anxiety, and fears are exploited in many facets to create division in communities. Although my works touch on many themes relating to global warming and pollution, I mainly focused on how pollution has affected daily life during the pandemic. Throughout recent years, I have witnessed first-hand the negative effects of global warming and pollution in Thailand. Waste is continually washing up on the once pristine beaches, intense haze from the burning of rubbish, and increased waste including masks and single use plastic. The main media I chose to use throughout my collection was charcoal. Not only did charcoal provide the effect I desired, but the process of making and producing the charcoal material involves pollution as it requires burning wood at high temperatures then compressing the leftover carbon. My work will be displayed in a way that forces viewers to rethink their past and future decisions in regards to the pollution and waste they create. For example, “Same Mistakes” will be exhibited in a hallway, this is to contrast the large size of the piece and make viewers feel engulfed by the work. This feeling of entrapment will force viewers to face the consequences of what the environment may look like if action is not taken to reverse these issues. My “Tolerate It” series was created during lockdown at the height of the pandemic. It is an etching created to depict the toll being isolated from people can have on an individual. Although the series doesn’t directly relate to the issues of global warming and pollution, it will hopefully allow the viewers to understand the consequences of ignoring major signals and how the feeling of isolation will be extended indefinitely if communities stop listening and working together in order to combat the climate crisis. Each piece created has symbolic meaning and when looking at a piece individually it can be interpreted by the viewer in their own way. When exhibited alongside the rest of my pieces it depicts a story. The story describes how our decisions have an impact on the environment, whether it be positive or negative, starting from the largest piece “Same Mistakes”. It gradually turns its focus to how these decisions affect communities such as my paper cut pieces “Temporary Fixes” and “Invisible Strings”, then pivoting to the individual and how they cope with the issues as seen with “Tolerate It” and “Mad Woman”. By pivoting the focus onto the individual, it allows the viewer to relate to the issues presented on a personal level.
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