The birth of a poster or Can art get people to care for the environment?

As I returned to painting over the last year I reflected on why I wanted to paint, what impact I wanted my artworks to have. The environment being a recurring theme for me, lots of reflections surrounded this subject. I started replacing some materials with more eco-friendly ones, like my paint. But I also wondered if beyond exposing what we already know: ‘’that our environment is in a very poor state’’, there were ways to awaken and foster connections between us and nature through art?

In this anthropocene era, eco-anxiety is a growing phenomenon. On the other hand, for decades, scientists and the media have warned us about the state of the environment. From the catastrophic effects of climate change, to the loss of biodiversity and our poor care of the environment in general, we heard it all, yet not that much as changed and most of us haven’t taken significative actions.

We are starting to understand that the negative and catastrophic scenarios we see most in the media, while catching our attention, also tend to freeze us in our steps. The danger, which isn’t immediate, seems too far for our mind to really grasp it and act on it. Or the possible outcome is so catastrophic that it fills us with fear followed with denial or apathy. We then get lots of noise around the topic, but not much actions on it… So I wanted to try another approach. I started exploring positive ways to feed reflections on our links with nature through my images, hoping they could contribute to foster new connections and actions. Not that we shouldn’t be clear about the urgency to act, but that maybe we could illustrate it in a more positive way.

One of the first images born out of these reflections was inspired by an aboriginal proverb: ‘‘We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borough it from our children.’’ These words seemed to represent beautifully and powerfully the importance of our actions. They translated well how the environment, the Earth isn’t just ours, it is all future generation’s gift. It is our privilege to take care of it. And so came to be this image:

‘‘We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borough it from our children’’. - aboriginal proverb

2019, 6’’ x 9’’ watercolor and gouache on 100% cotton watercolor paper

And then came the news of a contest from David Suzuki Foundation. The goal: since an image is worth a thousand words, we were asked to create a poster that could generate reactions - and actions - to stop the climate crisis. The three winning posters will be seen on buses, bus stops and restaurants all around the province of Quebec this summer (hence the French poster!) What a great way to inspire people I might not have been able to reach with my art practice other way!

The painting I had just finished and the proverb that had inspired it seemed to translate perfectly the importance and urgency with which we need to act. And I added a clear call to action to help people feel like they can actually do something about it, together, to stop climate change and protect our home, our Earth. And so was this poster born.

Top phrase: ‘‘We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borough it from our children.’’ - aboriginal proverb

Bottom phrase: Together, lets reduce our greenhouse gases emissions!

Thank you for all of those who took the time to vote. Unfortunately it did not made it to the three selected posters for the advertisement campaign to be seen around the province of Quebec this summer, but I hope it touched many minds and hearts through the contest and hope the painting itself will continue to inspire many people!

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