Funky collage type illustration

Came accross this really funky collage illustration made from cardboard by Neryl Walker (see her retro vintage blog here: nerylwalker.blogspot.com)

We had a small presentation at the Atlantic Seaboard Greendrinks at the Cape Creative Exhibition on 13 July and it proved to be a lot of fun. The aim was to give a basic idea of what Ecojunki stands for, and also offer ways in which you could green your creative practice, whether it be painting, making jewelery, making functional objects or any other creative form. After the talk and powerpoint presentation, tools and materials were given to all the attendees and were given the opportunity to make something from things that we would usually just throw away. This resulted in some really funky and interesting designs such as a belt with a Lion matches box as the buckle, a bird in a nest, a small handbag pouch and a hanging wall organizer!

Here is some basic tips and suggestions in greening your art or creative practice:

• Due to the massive carbon impact of emissions from airplanes, inform buyers outside of Cape Town or South Africa that products are shipped, mule-driven and hand given, and NOT airmailed.
• Do not wrap products in plastic - rather use re-usable, recycled or re-used packages. Make the container part of the product, and something that can be used again, and add value to your product! Also encourage buyers to recycle or re-use all packaging and containers.
• Re-use bubblewrap and when it’s worn out, use it as one of the base materials for a sculpture (along with paper mache you could make amazing things)!
• Don’t always use new wood in your art and for framing, but rather try use driftwood from beaches and off-cuts that are usually thrown away.
• Whenever possible, use packaging from consumer items, found objects, plastic and other materials usually deemed useless and bound to land up on dumps.
• Whenever and where possible use eco-friendly, bio-degradable alternatives to all materials and products:
  - Recycled paper
  - low VOC-inks
  - eco-friendly water based paints and glue
  Many stores and suppliers now offer eco-friendly alternatives, or can easily order. Or make your own!! Google for paint and glue recipes.
• Be careful about how you dispose of your waste water after painting
• Try use the off cuts and ‘waste’ that you produce in another new artwork
• Recycle whenever you can. There are services in Cape Town that collect recyclable waste from your studio
• Instead of buying palettes and mixing bowls, use packaging plastics and jam jars.

…there are SO many ways. Start looking for ways to be more eco-friendly in your art and you’ll be surprised about what you’ll realize!

Come and have fun. Be creative!

Join us at the Atlantic Seaboard Greendrinks on 13 July!

Greendrinks is an informal and comfortable gathering of people who discuss ways of doing things differently in order to tackle environmental issues.

I would love for you to bring some examples of eco-friendly art/craft/design if you have, or otherwise just join in and start creating something right there! If you don't want to participate hands-on on that night, then please join for the open discussion about environmentally conscious creative work.

We start at 18h00 at the Cape Creative Exhibition at 37 Main Road, Green Point.

Silent protest against BP OIL

www.youandifilms.com/2010/06/license-to-spill

Go and watch this video documenting a silent protest performance art piece in London, where black veiled performers spilled black molasses onto the pavement.

"Art exists to change the status quo. sometimes you have to take a moral standpoint to provide that space for questions to be raised, even though others argue that you shouldn't..."