Eco-Art Competition 2022

The decomposition of human-produced garbage is a lead factor to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions which has caused the alarming warming of our planet. Waste sits in landfills, destroying the environments around them, or gets burned in incinerators, releasing toxins into the air. From the recent forest fires, droughts, storms, and other extreme effects of climate change, we are constantly reminded of the damage we are causing the Earth. It is imperative that we act immediately to reverse all the harm we have caused our world before we lose it to our own actions. One important, yet simple way to participate in saving our planet is to reduce or reuse waste. In hopes that this piece will push viewers to work towards keeping Earth clean, even if it is through small actions, this acrylic painting takes the theme “plant the seed” both literally and figuratively to push towards a cleaner, more sustainable world. First, the phrase “plant the seed” is represented in the items pictured that were once garbage but are now recycled into plant pots, bringing new green life into the world. The textured red background represents the dangerous path we are currently leading Earth towards. However, in the midst of this dark red, there are the bright greens of the new life sprouting up, symbolizing a hopeful future if we take action right away. Although the bottles and cans are broken and used, they can still be vessels for planting new seeds and bringing a greener future. Additionally, taking the step to recycle this garbage into plant pots is also “planting the seed” figuratively for a society that is more conscious about waste production and sustainability.