Working together to deliver at the Change Agents Bazaar
- Written byPost-Grad Community
- Published date 25 October 2021
Writen by Sacha Jackman, MA Design for Art Direction, London College of Communication (and Change Agents Post-Grad Interest Group Member)
What do eggshells, grass bricks, virtual temples and hermit crabs all have in common? They have all inspired UAL students and alumni to use art in response to the global climate emergency. It’s time to explore what it means to be more ecocentric and environmentally conscious because responding to the global environmental crisis is non-optional if we want to create a better future.
This year, thousands of world leaders are meeting in Glasgow for COP26 to negotiate ways to achieve climate change goals. COP26, an international climate change summit hosted by the UN, has a unique urgency as this is a pivotal moment where countries must fight harder and contribute more to combat climate change. To do so, four goals that will be negotiated at COP26: securing global net-zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach, adapting to protect communities and natural habitats, mobilizing finance, and working together to deliver. Responding to the climate crisis must be a global initiative and here at UAL, we are committed to doing our part.
At UAL we recognise our responsibility to demonstrate the interdisciplinary response to the global environmental crisis. In parallel to COP26, the Climate Emergency Network has presented the Carnival of Crisis featuring events throughout the term to promote sustainable development. As a growing community with an interest and concern in creative action and practice to respond to the climate and ecological crisis, these events draw on the talents of initiatives of students, staff and community members.
The Climate Emergency Network, Change Agents Post-Grad Interest Group, UAL Post-Grad Community and Not Just a Shop have teamed up to put on a 3-day market at Kings Cross Canopy Market. Featuring the work of UAL student and alumni vendors whose work’s subject and/or process address cultural or environmental sustainability and the climate crisis.
The Change Agents Interest Group has a vision to bring together leaders of all ages, subjects, and backgrounds to drive positive social change, including addressing the climate and ecological crisis. This network provides a platform to discuss topics like climate change to provide inspiration and practical tools to create a positive impact. To improve the communities, we live in, we must help transform the wider world to be more sustainable.
The Change Agents Bazaar
The Change Agents Bazaar will be happening over 3 days while the COP26 Climate Summit will also be taking place. The Bazaar will be located within the Kings Cross Canopy Market, this bazaar will not only be a celebration of postgraduate makers, artists, and craftspeople across UAL, but also a chance to support each other and explore what it means to be more ecocentric and environmentally conscious.
The vendors at the Change Agents Bazaar responded to an open call and they were selected to take part to showcase their work based on sustainable, ethical, and environmental criteria. We are excited to have these postgraduate student vendors join us:
Satatland is an ownership-free circular fashion brand. With a focus on sustainable materials that reduce pollution, restore biodiversity, or preserve an art form, Satatland seeks to change the way fashion is produced, consumed, and disposed of through the power of circular economy.
Mel Woo creates interior fibrous sculptures made from rope inspired by her surroundings: the sea. All of Mel Woo’s creations are made with materials that are either renewed, reused, repurposed or biodegradable and endorse a low carbon footprint.
Inspired and frustrated by the destructive consequences of oil spills, Yuhan Ding creates ceramic pieces that represent the harsh environment that sea life is forced to endure. These creatures demonstrate the irreversible damage that environmental disasters produce.
Using “unusable" material that accumulates in the form of sample fabric, deadstock, offcuts, or just damaged fabric, Jetti (by Rachel Rymar) creates unique, hand-made hair accessories from fabric waste. Repurposing material allows Jetti to help reduce waste because waste is not waste, it is rather a material that has yet to find its purpose.
Maria Roy Deulofeu sources curious objects such as stones, metals, glass, and the debris of past visitors from her nearby environment to create ceramics. Her ceramics reference and explore folkloric rituals and ceremonies of the British Isles to promote the much-needed connection between the landscape and the people.
Inspired by Hermit crabs, Mojiao Zhou recognizes the danger that marine pollution causes to the survival of many living organisms. Using bright colours, Mojiao Zhou creates visuals that demonstrate the divide that occurs between the harmful marine environment and marine life.
Combining industrial materials and craft, Martha Gray creates Bioplastic Cyanotype Prints. Inspired by the mass-produced disposable plastic, Martha Gray demonstrates that it is possible to find a new form of paperless photographic printmaking with sustainable materials.
Finding visual connections between the micro and macro, Katy Sayers Green explores Earth from the perspective of an astronaut in Space. Katy Sayers Green’s paintings represent how conflicts that divide people become less important when the focus on saving the planet becomes more obvious.
Jo Gabriele Sheppard combines local and sustainable materials with a surplus, given or found materials to create sculptures inspired by ecological concerns. Using methods similar to an archaeologist, Jo Gabriele Sheppard pulls on the significance of connecting the environment with personal experiences.
Kexin Zhang has created a set of ceramics as a reminder that the world is constantly changing. With a focus on melting icebergs, Kexin Zhang’s sculptures represent climate change.
Exploring the impact of consumerism, social media and fast fashion on mental health and the planet, Olli Hull designs and creates painted, wearable artwork. Up-cycling using second-hand materials, Olli Hull demonstrates the need for sustainable practices, as well as open conversations around mental health and social equality.
Recognizing the importance of generating energy through rituals, Hyun Jang designs custom graphics to create personal virtual temples for participants. Hyun Jang encourages participants to reflect on their desires and to select a visual representation to add to the virtual totem.
Ruohan Yu saw the importance of urban repair and initiated a performance project by using grass to fill holes in the road. Using eco-friendly materials, Ruohan Yu invites others to join this project by making their own grass bricks and using them to repair their city.
Realizing the amount of waste eggshells contribute to the total waste in the UK, Shivani Mathur has taken a stand to repurpose this form of waste. Using eggshells, Shivani Mathur composes statues modelled after temples of Khajuraho in India to reflect how the UK imbibes all cultures and works with all nations globally.
The stalls will be open from Friday 5 November to Sunday 7 November daily at Kings Cross Canopy Market. We will also have an online catalogue for those who are unable to make it to the event in person. We can’t wait to see you there!