Thanks to A la Luz magazine for writing about climate issues and art, their articles are much needed and incredibly interesting. My practice has been included in this write-up about artists who are adapting their way of working to become more considerate of our environment, this is a trend which I hope will become the norm over time. To see the full article click HERE.
We continue the theme of re-purposing with London-based artist Camilla Brendon. Camilla describes herself as “an installation artist from a painting background”. She’s known for her use of found materials, which has been a core element of her art practice since studying.
“I began focussing on salvaged materials to make art more accessible, especially for participants of workshops that I facilitate as part of my practice. I am currently working towards using 100% found and donated materials in my work. I’ve got to this place organically over time, as I’ve learned more it’s become apparent how much waste there is and how important it is to use what we already have, instead of continuing to consume.
Plastic Inlay II 2019 | Wood salvaged from Limehouse Marina + canal plastic | 112 x 34 x 9 cm | Photo credit: Georgia Metaxas
As a colourist my main challenge in this is moving away from synthetic paints. I am always investigating and experimenting with found and natural colours. I’ve been collecting plastic packaging like dog food bags; cut into strips to use for my signature streamers; to harder plastics crushed up to make dust, used for my gem-inlay pieces. I’m beginning to experiment with natural pigments and I’m currently looking for a course on natural pigments.”
Camilla enjoys working in public spaces and with audiences who might not usually encounter contemporary art. She strongly believes that “a picture says a thousand words and that education shapes the future”, she tells us.
Camilla collecting algae during her residency Coast - Hertford Union Canal at Chisenhale Studios, 2019.
Collaboration | Reaching beyond the studio
In an effort to push the boundaries of her chosen area of focus, Camilla has worked with the water charity Thames21 on how to clean waterways, and is active with groups that help to maintain the London canal system, including the Lower Regents Coalition. These collaborations have given her skills to lead art + environment and art + science workshops, such as Living Canal Mobiles and Tiny Ocean Plants. She was the invited artist at EurOCEAN2019 and Ocean Action in February. Attending and participating in these kinds of events has been “a truly informative experience” for her – “this is because scientists and policy makers inform my practice and by meeting them in person we can discuss how their policy and research is received by people who don’t work in the field.”
Later this year Camilla will run Phytoplankton in the City at Meanwhile Gardens in North Kensington, London. This will be a series of free intergenerational workshops and an exhibition open to all (June 27th, TBC) as part of Kensington and Chelsea Art Week.
“The project is exploring the importance of phytoplankton in mitigating climate change because they produce more oxygen than the Amazon rainforest and are capable of sinking carbon. They are dying off in huge numbers for various reasons, some of which are warming sea temperatures, ocean acidification and chemicals that reach the water system. In the workshop participants will make natural cleaners, so that less chemicals have a chance of reaching the ocean and they will learn about sustainable sculpture making, using recycled materials.”