Sunderland College art students capture importance of recycling with sculptures created from discarded waste

With the recent focus on the COP26 summit and the need to improve sustainability, first year art and design students chose Roker Beach to create their artwork designed to highlight the importance of waste recycling for help fight climate change and increasing plastic levels in our oceans.

Lily Howarth, 16, said: “Our art project was based on climate change and how we can raise awareness. As a group of three, we decided to focus on how humans directly affect our planet through what we do every day, like the waste we produce, which is often deposited in our own local environment.

Another student, Ellie Bainbridge, 16, added: “In our group, we decided to create a sculpture of a turtle out of recyclable materials. It was in order to express the dangers of plastic pollution against our wildlife. We chose this idea because we believed it showed the most emotional value around the true dangers of waste.

“This project allowed me to learn about the dangers of waste and climate change while developing my teamwork skills. I also learned how art can be used to express a subject and its importance.

“I believe that climate change is an important issue that needs to be highlighted because if we don’t try to reduce contributions on it now, there will be no way to reverse the effects in the future. “

The students created a total of five sculptures that day for the public to see which were photographed before being taken apart and the waste taken for recycling. They also created QR code labels that are attached to the railings along the promenade so that future walkers and beach goers can still enjoy their creations.

Art lecturer Jackie McDonagh said: “We asked the students the direct question, how can climate change be brought to public attention through art? The students used unwanted and recycled materials, which showed a great commitment to the theme.

“They are very interested in the theme of climate change and have demonstrated their passion through their pieces. The results are excellent and I am extremely proud of them.

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