Climate Conversations Through Art

I immigrated to Canada from China in 2007. It is very polluted there, but I didn't recognize that until I came here. When I realized our footprint has a huge impact on the climate, I spent a lot of time investigating the reason behind it. That was when I was studying in Emily Carr University of art + Design in 2012. The impact we have on our environment is overwhelming and I wish I knew about it sooner. It took me a while to break down all the information into reasonable actions, especially for someone who has a language barrier like me. I believe global warming and climate change are real, so I take actions from an artistic angle.

In 2013, I co-organized a postcard project to engage friends and neighbors with environmental conversation.

I felt empowered because I was able to use my art practice to connect with others. I learned that there are many others who care about our environmental impact, but we sometimes don't have an opportunity to take actions. What if we have more opportunities to connect with our eco-system when we are young?

In 2015, freshly trained as a Master Composter Recycler by the City of Edmonton, I started to explore children illustrations about worms and their relationship with our life.

I am also starting on an ABC book as an introduction to composting.

I realize publishing children's book is a timely process, I felt that I need more direct conversations and actions on the topic of our environmental footprint.

In 2017, I facilitated another community engagement art project to tackle household plastic waste. During Mid-autumn Festival, we created 120 lanterns out of milk jugs as a way to transform our every day plastic. I think re-imagining our waste is a crucial aspect to energy efficiency.

Given the fact that I do not have much political power to make fast changes in my new home, Edmonton, I am taking a lot of artistic actions to start conversations. Right now, I am making a pair of large Chinese guardian lions out of plastic waste. This project is funded by Canada Council for the Arts and Edmonton Arts Council. The lions will be exhibited during The Works Art Festival 2018 (June 21 to July 3) at the Capital Plaza of the Alberta legislature grounds.

I hope that the people who view my art will be inspired to explore environmentally friendly possibilities.

This post was submitted by Yong Fei Guan, an Edmonton community member. If you live in Edmonton and have a climate change story to tell, let us know! Your story could be shared here too.

Update: Yong Fei Guan has an art piece at The Works Art & Design Festival at the Legislature Grounds until July 2, 2019. Funded by the Edmonton Arts Council and supported by the City of Edmonton's Reuse Centre, this piece is made from plastic debris, diverting 2,000 six-pack rings.

"Why I created 金猪 Golden Pig: It’s the year of the pig. This is a Chinese piggy bank make from plastic waste. And I am a Chinese-Canadian. This project raises questions about the environment; it raises questions about money; and it also raises question about the relationship between the environment and money."

- Yong Fei Guan