Eco-Art Competition 2022

Vertical farms/gardens are rapidly emerging into the urban scene, bringing many benefits to the environment. They supply fresh, high-nutrient local produce, save space, use less chemicals and pesticides than traditional farming, and enable year-round production. Because they diminish the need for the food supply chain, vertical farms result in less emissions. Additionally, around 40% of the water that farmers use to irrigate their crops is wasted due to evaporation and runoff, which could be drastically reduced with indoor vertical farming. All we need to do to fully exercise these benefits is plant the seed: which is why I decided to illustrate this method of farming in an urban setting. This solution is important to me because I have always been interested in finding more sustainable ways for humans to conduct agriculture. One of the most tragic things that humans do to the planet is deforestation—farming vertically can prevent further harm. I am excited to see how, when, and where this solution will expand throughout the world. To compose my painting, I imagined what a city would look like splattered in the vivid greenery and the organic texture of plants. I narrowed my focus to the outdoor wall of a building, and captured the life of the city by drawing a civilian walking on the concrete sidewalk, and a couple of benches on which welcomed anyone to sit. When viewers see my painting, I hope they find it refreshing from the suffocating hues of gray and brown that permeate today’s urban landscapes. I hope they are inspired to learn more about the advantages of vertical farms/gardens.