Plastic-Free July Art Exhibition by Art4you Gallery

DUBAI: Culture-based platform Art4you Gallery launched its “Let’s Live with Less Plastic” virtual art exhibition to inspire millions of people across the globe to reduce their plastic usage in Plastic Free July.

It was showcased on large virtual 3D gallery space, and in social media platform with social media hashtags #plasticfreejuly #plasticchallenge #letslivewithlessplastic.

The UAE-based Art4you Gallery aimed to create positive cultural shifts through arts and technology and a group of 20 artists from 15 nationalities inspired people to reduce their plastic usage.

“Placing these artworks in virtual art gallery locations is a powerful approach to inform every one of the world’s plastic pollution crises while also asking everyone to contribute to the solution,” Art4you Gallery Curator Jesno Jackson stated. “Art is such an ideal means to express vital messages regarding the state of the planet and society in general. This art exhibition had some incredible established and emerging artists. Hundreds of thousands of visitors will be exposed to the gallery via a link where they may walk through and experience the 3D interactive area each day to spread the message of Plastic Free July and plastic pollution in general.”

“Plastic pollution has become one of the most distressing parts of modern life,” stated Rengi Cherian, Founder of Art4you Gallery. “Single-use plastic is polluting our oceans, feeding the creatures we consume, and eventually becoming our food. Stop using single-use plastic, demand more effective recycling methods, and put an end to plastic pollution.”

A total of 20 sustainable artists were involved, including Ali Alzwaylif – Iraq, Argie Amancio – Philippines, Elizabeth Davis – Oman, Eri Kato – Japan, Gulalek Esenowa – Turkmenistan, Joao Charrua – Portugal, Kanak Mitra – Oman, Margarita Ado – Lithuania, Maria Komal Abie – India, Maisa Taslaq – Jordan, Mussarat Yasmin Abid – Pakistan, Nirmeen Hashim – Egypt, Ruben Molina – Venezuela, Saida Banu – India, Slam Austin – Nigeria, Suma Dileepkumar – India, Supriya Chauhan – India, Vasilisa Eliseeva – Russia, Veena Devagiri – India, and Victoria Szydlak – Poland.

“Together, through the ‘Tackling Plastic Through Art’ Exhibit, let’s advance towards a plastic-free future by urging the community to motivate younger generation for their large contribution to plastic pollution and to implement progressive, pro-people, and pro-environment policies,” concluded chief Guest Mrs Fatima Martin, Principal and CEO, Gems New Millennium School, Dubai.

Peter Farrington, International Environmental Conservationist, says, “Though the exhibit was meant to reveal the shocking impact of plastic on the environment, it also serves as a call to action. Individual action, while essential, no longer seems to be enough.”

The artworks at the virtual show offer the opportunity to learn about environmental issues and how to live more sustainably with ‘No Plastic’. The artists used all types of materials for their paintings — from leaves, flowers, t-shirts, denims, sticks, plastic, cardboards, palm trees, recycled plastics, broken mirrors — to create sustainable artworks, portraying their emotions and feelings towards Planet Earth.

‘Let’s Live with Less Plastic’ is supported by Plastic Free July Foundation and will be on show across the UK for #plasticfreejuly as well as online at www.art4yougallery.com.

Art4you Gallery shared that they are the only community registered with Plastic Free July organisation from UAE for this large campaign in 2023 sharing the #plasticfreejuly initiatives. Other than the art exhibition, Art4you also included sustainability live art, panel discussion and a networking event.

Plastic Free – Morning Tea – July 11: Plastic Free Morning Tea was a popular way of making and sharing tea and food, fun with conversations about plastic free solutions. Art4you hosted this in a great way inviting artists together with a tea that hasn’t been wrapped in plastic.

Eco-friendly Live Art – The Green Revolution, Dubai – July 8: 15 UAE-based artists from 10 nationalities painted eco-friendly live art on theme ‘Beat Plastic through Art’ demonstrating that there is no barrier to creativity. This event was hosted in support with the sustainability partner — The Green Revolution under the supervision of the founder and sustainability mentor — Bhumika Maniyar — at their Garden Boutique in Business Bay. The participating artists were Lene Pieters – South Africa, Tetiana Yatlo, Malek Elsakka – Ukraine, Nirmeen Hashim – Egypt, Meetu Garg, Kumar Chadayamangalam, Jesno Jackson – India, Ghaya Al Hababi – UAE, Dima Albitar – Syria, Alia Amin – Pakistan, Labiba Ferhat – Algeria, Yuliya Solomennaya – Belarus and Fatima Ghandour – Lebanon.

Panel Discussion – Tackling Plastic Through Art – July 22: A day dedicated to awareness, conservation, and sustainability, the session was complemented by a panel of environmental advocates and sustainable artists – Eng Maitha Alblooshi, Lene Pieters, Rabah El Aawar, Kiara Kaur, Alaa El-Hag, and Maria Komal Abie who discussed alternative zero-waste solutions, how we can do our part, and what the future looks like.

Topics covered were: What does sustainable living mean to you? Can we live without single-use plastic? Impact of art through sustainable, creatively sustainable – a way of life, environmental art, how art helps to advocate for sustainability among children and youth?

Surabhi Bala, Community Arts Coordinator, said: “No step is insignificant when taken in the right direction, especially when it comes to making an impactful positive change to our environment and future generations. This initiative has paved the way for everyone to contribute and be mindful of their choices. Each step contributes substantially to sustainability for a greener future. At Art4you, our artists wanted to honour earth and the environment around us by expressing it through their art. Their pieces are creative.”

These initiatives are one-of-a-kind which promises to give viewers a multi-sensory experience of something we take for granted as a given in everyday life — plastic waste. Let’s Beat Plastic Through Art!