News / Climate
Highlighting how plastic pollution cannot be ‘rubbed out’
A unique interactive art workshop hoping to raise awareness about plastic pollution is being held at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA).
Created by artist Frances Gynn, Public Erasure – Spiny Seahorses invites the public to ‘rub out’ charcoal and graphite seahorses in a two-metre-wide artwork, leaving only a fishing net which cannot be erased.
The piece aims to draw attention to the increased number of species becoming endangered by climate change, habitat loss and plastic pollution.
The spiny seahorse, featured in the art piece, is classified as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
In summer, Earth: Digging Deep in British Art 1781-2022 examined how attitudes to the landscape have evolved over the centuries – photo: RWA
“It’s heart-breaking that beautiful creatures like the spiny seahorse are at risk of completely dying out because of our own actions. I hope my artwork helps more people realise the gravity of the situation and start to think about how they can contribute to the solution,” said Gynn.
Neil Garrick-Maidment, executive director and founder of The Seahorse Trust, added: “It’s great to see art being used as a medium to raise awareness for the spiny seahorse, a devastatingly endangered species that few know are even present in UK waters.
“Exhibitions such as these can help shine a light on some of the threats to seahorses such as habitat loss, plastic pollution, and climate change, and help repair the fractured bond between the public and the incredible sea life that exists right here in our island waters.”
Public Erasure – Spiny Seahorse by Frances Gynn will be held on Saturday 11am till 12pm and 2 till 3pm, as part of the RWA’s annual open exhibition.
For more information, visit: www.rwa.org.uk/products/spiny-seahorse-workshop
This piece of independent journalism is supported by NatWest and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership
Main photo: RWA Bristol
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