Title: Shop ‘til the planet drops 2018
When I decided to use plastic shopping bags in my artwork in 2017 I began collecting them. Even, to my shame now, ensuring that each time I shopped I chose to use plastic bags.
Before making Shop ‘til the planet drops, I researched the ubiquitous grey shopping bags. According to Clean Up Australia: “It is estimated that around 50 million bags enter the Australian litter stream every year.” The impact of the bags on our environment is multifarious. Firstly, they take a considerable time to break down, from 20 to 1,000 years. Secondly, being lightweight they float both in the air and in water. If they wind up in our waterways, marine creatures mistake them for food and this is catastrophic for them. There are many other reasons why we must stop using these bags. Having learnt these facts I stopped immediately and I hope that this artwork will impact on others use of plastic bags.
This artworks speaks of the part women have to play in looking after our environment. Statistically 62% of grocery shoppers are women. If we stop using these bags when we shop, that will send a powerful message that the environment is more important that convenience.
My paintings: Railing and Railing 2 were both accepted. Railing sold on the night.
See more images of this work on my Sculpture page.
Deborah Eddy Art 