Confronting images impress judges in climate change art expo
Vivid images of a warming and dying world have taken out the top prizes in a climate change art expo. The Nelson Tasman Climate Forum expo received 40 entries from young people ranging from visual art and sculpture to photography and poetry. Titled How Dare You!, the expo ran over two days at Founders Park in December, with judges from the Suter Art Gallery viewing the artworks and awarding a series of prizes. Sixteen-year-old Nelson College student Joseph Mac Neill was awarded best in show for his graphic design named Florid, while Ciara Higginbotham won first prize in the visual art category for her entry Melt a watercolour showing earth capped by a human skull. READ MORE: * Hot water fuels winning climate change project in Cawthron expo * Granddaughter of Austen Deans exhibits work at Timaru's York St Gallery * More than 1000 vaccinations before lunchtime at Nelson-Tasman Super Saturday event When we talk about climate change, one of the first things that comes up in our mind is the world dying - the skull symbolises that, Higginbotham said. She said she hoped others would be inspired to enter the competition in future years, as art is a great way to communicate an idea about such an important issue. Other entries portrayed scenes such as melting ice caps, sea level rise and the plight of wild animals. Event organiser Aine Byrne said she was delighted with the response to the expo. We wanted to reach out to youth in the region and let them know that they have a support network within the Climate Forum. So many young people are worried about this issue. We want them to know that there is a place for their voices to be heard, that the Climate Forum will advocate for them and support their efforts in tackling climate change. Prize money for the winning artworks was supplied by Climate Forum members, with local businesses also donating vouchers for things from meals out to art supplies. Byrne said the artworks could be viewed on the Nelson Tasman Climate Forums YouTube channel, and the group planned to run the event again this year.