David Attenborough Changed My Life

Plastic changed my career as an artist and it could change yours too. This is an article for anyone who creates.

2017, Sunday evening, I’m sitting in my flat I share with my partner, watching one of the most talked about documentaries: Blue Planet II, a series that is still talked about and has started a revolution. David Attenbourgh has highlighted through the Blue Planet series the enormous problem that has been known for some time, but not discussed or brought to our attention as it should have been... Plastic.

As well as other environmental heroes such as Greta Thunberg, who have brought the issue to our televisions, online, to newspapers and bravely campaigned for us to take action. Climate change and the impact of plastic has gone largely unnoticed until the last ten years where our eyes have been opened to the impact us humans are having on the earth. Watching Blue planet, I heard this call of action, watching a turtle think a plastic bag was a jellyfish, or sea birds having their stomachs pumped after eating so many small plastic pieces brought home the reality of our impact on the natural world.

Plastic deserves our attention, here’s why: Plastic always seemed to me, to be under control; I recycle my plastic, used second hand furniture and clothes when I had to (as most poor art students do), and steered away from plastic when possible, but I had never considered my creative practice as something that could contribute or affect the plastic problem.

Since following the blue planet and planet earth series, more has been revealed about the amount of plastic on our shores, landfill and sadly, in the stomachs of animals who think it’s food. According to Surfers against sewage:

“100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million sea birds are killed by marine plastic pollution annually.”
Source: Surfers against Sewage.

Are you responsible for plastic pollution too? The plastic we consume is possibly the biggest problem, but what about what we create as artists? What happens to the plastic paint tubes after we’ve finished painting, or scraps of fabric that contain polyester or acrylic? As artists and designers we are just as culpable for adding to the plastic pollution as anyone else, and although artists lead the way by creating artwork from waste materials that would otherwise pollute the ocean, could we be doing more?

My answer is Yes. Here’s why: Artists and designers are of course not responsible for the pollution, but we could lead the way and set the example as many generations have done before us. Here’s how: ask yourself this, is there a natural alternative to the material I use? If not, could I contact the supplier and suggest they create one? Could I source that material second hand? Locally made? If it’s an indie business, could I ask them not to send that item wrapped in plastic? I’m not saying there’s a quick or easy fix, but perhaps if we start asking why and How? We could start a chain reaction.

How has David attenborough raised an important question? Of course, if you’re only material is new plastic then this need not apply to you, but perhaps reducing the amount of plastic and listening to the current climate could improve and change your artistic career? It did for me.

Here’s some context; 2017 I was living and working in Bristol, stifled by my job as a part time receptionist and looking for creative jobs in Bristol that would make use of my textile design degree. I had worked so hard at university and wanted to succeed in finding that dream role. To be completely honest, I had been looking, applying and hoping for a creative job in Bristol since I graduated in 2013 to no joy.

When I spoke to my lecturer before graduation, I remember how she struggled to find contacts for me in Bristol. The general advice was if you want to pursue a textile career, move to London. I hated London, without my friends and family I was incredibly lonely.

I moved there to pursue a job as a junior print designer, the job was not what I anticipated and in the back of my mind I was thinking about the environmental impact of the fashion industry... I was contributing to the problem.

This is going to sound strange but plastic pollution has changed my career, here’s how: finding an alternative to plastic soft toys has solved a problem that my customers face. They want to buy a toy for their child but don’t want it to contain plastic. I had a light bulb moment when watching David attenborough, how could I use my textile degree to benefit the environment? I’ve spent the last few years, learning how to dye with plants, asking manufacturers what’s in their fabric and talking about it to whoever will listen! (see my naturally dyed work below).

Are you ready to take a dive into the plastic free ocean? Your artistic business may involve you working solo, you may work for a bigger company, you might create as a side hustle, It doesn’t matter how big or small the company you can make some practical changes:

What if I work for a company? Asking the questions is a great start! Ask your boss/partner/studio how could we be more environmentally friendly? This could be as simple as getting milk delivered in glass bottles or using more plant based milk in biodegradable cartons.

Image by Claire Coulthard.

How can I make this work for me? Research is a dull word in my books, but it doesn’t have to be... there are plenty of instagram accounts, bloggers, interesting books and other sources, even pinterest can be your friend in this one. The important thing is to start with Why? then how?

Ask yourself these questions: Every artist has a unique set up and you may already be using less plastic or have just started this journey. It’s about progress, not perfection. No-one is expecting you to have all the answers but being honest with your customers or clients about your plastic free journey could include your audience and bring in interest. Start with these important questions...

Where am I using plastic? Could I replace X with Z which doesn’t contain plastic?

Does my material come wrapped in plastic? Could I source it somewhere else that doesn’t? Perhaps ask the company to use a paper alternative?

Are there any local scrap stores where I could buy my material second hand and give back to charity?

If I use plastic as the main material, could I use recycled plastic instead or source it second hand so it extends the life of that plastic item?

How can this change your artistic career? I’ve saved the good stuff for this paragraph: Reducing or even better, eliminating plastic from your work, can add saleability to your work. Quite often customers want transparency, and to know where the materials come from, we have an advantage over big companies in that we can source our materials locally. We can name what has been used to make that piece of artwork, the fact is being able to trace your materials adds value to your work in that it makes it more unique and attractive to your customers.

What about trying an alternative method or material? Trying a new material in order to be sustainable or experimenting with a different skill can force us to learn and grow. If it doesn’t work try something new and move on, having an open mind to trying alternatives will benefit you in many ways. Of course sales are important but growing in your business and using less plastic is something to shout about!

You can connect and collaborate with others with the same message, there are plenty of companies that want to work with artists and designers to reduce their plastic, there are artistic competitions and briefs that are aimed at being environmentally friendly too. My point is, if you are open to questioning your use of plastic, you can lead the way, add value and honesty to your creative business and set an example.

Reduce plastic in your creations or find an alternative and it may open doors and opportunities that you may not have thought of possible. Make that change, tell anyone who will listen, collaborate, if something isn’t how you want it, change it.

Written by Rosie Yarde

Hello, I’m Rosie. I make natural fibre baby toys, nursery decor and plant dyed baby clothes.

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