How Artists Can Embrace Eco-Friendly Practices

In the midst of the climate crisis, it is high time to embrace sustainability! Instead, artists have a unique opportunity to make genuine impacts by opting for sustainable practices and materials in their work. There are ways you can help.

What can we all do to go greener? It’s a matter of urgency, with 2024 becoming the first year on record to exceed 1.5°C global warming. And while large-scale change is necessary to address the climate crisis, scientists agree that every piece of individual action matters as well.

It is possible that you may be surprised by the possibilities that are available to you if you are an artist who has never considered how to incorporate concepts of sustainability into your profession or pastime. Green thinking may refer to a wide range of activities, including the reduction of waste and the limitation of energy consumption that is incurred in the production of your work, the selection of materials from a supply chain that is more environmentally friendly, and even the utilisation of recycled materials in the production of your work.

The benefits

When it comes to the influence that they have on the environment, artists are in a special position because they have the ability to not only make more environmentally friendly changes in the process of creating their work but also to inspire additional change via the way that other people interact with that work. The incorporation of sustainability as a visible topic in your artwork might help you raise awareness if you have an audience, even if that audience is comprised of only your own social circles. You may also find more potential buyers for pieces by being able to demonstrate green credentials, with people increasingly willing to pay more for purchases they know are environmentally friendly.

You may also have health advantages as a result of making adjustments, such as if you abstain from using materials like paints that contain hazardous elements. Additionally, you may experience an increased sense of peace of mind as a result of the knowledge that you are contributing to the resolution of an important issue.

Practical steps you can take

Prioritise purchasing goods from providers who provide environmentally friendly solutions such as recycled paper and non-toxic paints when you are in the process of acquiring products. It is also a terrific slogan to embrace to look local whenever feasible because doing so helps lessen the carbon footprint that is caused by the production of imported goods.

There is also the possibility of analysing your studio space and determining measures to lessen the influence it has. Rearrange your workspace so that it makes the most of the natural light available to you. This will reduce the amount of artificial light you need to use. Additionally, you should consider whether there are any other methods to reduce the amount of power you use while you are working there.

Exploring eco-friendly art materials

Increasingly, suppliers are offering greener alternatives to traditional tools that you could incorporate into your work. For example, it’s now possible to find art painting brushes made of sustainable synthetic materials or bamboo, which is a more renewable choice than wood or plastic as it grows quickly and absorbs carbon dioxide at a high rate.

Vegan items, such as paints made from plants, are gaining popularity among artists who are increasingly conscious of their environmental impact. In order to lessen the demand for mass production, you may also consider purchasing canvases that are produced from recycled materials.

You will find a lot of support in an art community that is deeply engaged in a discourse about the influence that it has on the environment and is eager to make positive changes, regardless of the modifications that you make.