Sustainability
When researching sustainability, I came across English artist and environmentalist John Sabraw. Completed in 2017, this piece titled ‘Chroma S4 Dragon’ is created using toxic Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) pigments and other paints on an aluminium composite panel[1]. The AMD pigments are extracted from polluted abandoned coal mines, replacing synthetic iron oxides that would have been imported for use instead[2]. This concept is so fascinating as the artist is intercepting the AMD before it gets to the water stream, not only helping the environment but also utilising art to bring awareness to pollution. There is a metaphorical approach to his work, as Sabraw is creating mesmerising pieces of art from a pollutant, encapsulating beautiful colours and fluidity whilst portraying sustainability in its rawest form. In an interview with HuffPost, Sabraw explained that “The artist, like the scientist, has a crucial role to perform in our society…see things differently, act on this vision, report the failures and successes.”[3] Sabraw is doing just that, he takes the failures of human nature and transforms them into successful works of art. The freedom and expression conveyed in this piece is so transfixing and elusive, causing the on looker to revaluate their role in the demise of our environment. Sabraw’s art is displayed in various collections such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Honolulu, the Elmhurst Museum in Illinois, Emprise Bank, and Accenture Corp. [4]
Citations:
[1] (Studio — john sabraw, 2021)
[2] (Studio — john sabraw, 2021)
[3] (HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media, 2021)
[4] (About — john sabraw, 2021)