Rise Art Competition
This September, cities, municipalities, businesses and civil society from around the world will be gathering in California for the Global Climate Action Summit.
On September 8, just before the summit, we’re planning a massive day of action in cities and neighbourhoods around the world to demand that local leaders commit to building a fossil free world that works for all of us. We’re calling it “Rise for Climate”.
Artists from six continents have made artworks that people can use to #RiseforClimate. They included the Rise for Climate (or Rise) unifying symbols of an orange cross for what we need to put a stop to and a sun for the solutions we need. #RiseforClimate will be a big moment in the global climate movement in 2018 – together we will raise the bar for climate leadership from all of our local leaders.
350Africa is launching a Rise for Climate Art Competition for people within the African continent to create artwork for Rise and stand a chance to win a prize. Their artwork may also be used in one or more of the Rise events across the continent.
You can submit your own artwork here.
The competition will run from the 21st July till the 10th of August 2018. Prizes include art supply hampers and 350.org t-shirts.
Winners will be announced and contacted via email or phone call in the week of the 20th of August.
Artists from around the world have already produced some examples of the kind of images you could draw inspiration from. Have a look below and find out what you can do to enter the competition:
John Hillary Balyejusa
Balyejusa is a Ugandan poet and cinematographer.
Balyejusa is most comfortable with his cameras shooting nature and documentaries.
He has worked on various Eco Conservation projects including the #Sign4Climate photoshoot with Miss Tourism Uganda 2015, the #TenGreenChoices photoshoot with the Girls For Climate movement in Kampala and he is now the official photographer and producer for the @GirlsForClimate movement.
Balyejusa says:
“This image is an opportunity for me to expose the danger that fossil fuels pose to our agricultural society. Mary Lynus Naddunga who features in the image is a member of the GirlsForClimate movement, a nature enthusiast and agriculturalist. She represents the hundreds of African women whose agricultural production has been jeopardized by a constantly changing climate. I hope this image reflects the state of pollution from fossils fuel on the continent and the plight of African farmers.
Teleise Neemia Lesa
Teleise Neemia Lesa is a Samoan/New Zealand born artist.
Lesa says, “I wanted this artwork to show my solidarity with those in the Pacific Islands on the frontlines of Climate Change.
My artwork represents the regions of Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. Traditional motifs from different Pacific Island cultures were used to create a single unique symbol. This was inspired by the traditional elements and principles of the Siapo, Ngatu, Masi, Tapa and the traditional Samoan Tatau (Pe’a).
There is a wealth of knowledge that has been passed down through generations of our ancestors living in harmony with nature. Through traditional indigenous practices our ancestors have taught us to respect the land and ocean. The symbols in this artwork represent powerful connections between our people, the ocean and our lands. The artwork symbolizes our hope to live in harmony with our lands and oceans.”
At the centre of this image is a “Kikonang”, the iKirbati word for the coconut leaf windmill. It is the symbol of Pacific Pawa and a representation of the 100% renewable energy future the Pacific Climate Warriors are striving to build in the Pacific.
Ari Aminuddin, Indonesia
Aminuddin is an Indonesian artist, and member of Taring Padi, a collective of woodcut artists that was found in 1999 after the fall of the New Order Era in Indonesia.
Most of his work is done collectively and never represents only one name.
The Taring Padi art involves information that corrects false history, made by Soeharto, the second president of Indonesia, about the massacre on communists in 1965.
Aminuddin has joined several important environmental focused festivals and grass root workshops like Festival Mata Air, Switchcamp and the movement of the farmers and fisherman of Batang, Central Java, against the appearance of a coal fired power plant on their land.
Aminuddin’s daily job is working at a interior design company owned by a radical feminist sculptor, Dolorosa Sinaga, in Jakarta.
Your artwork should:
- ENGAGE PEOPLE: Art is a great way to involve people. Your artwork should get people to talk about why we all need to protect our communities and our planet.
- TELL A STORY: We can use art to powerfully tell our stories, raise our visibility and voices, inspire others and each other, and build a culture and movement of resistance to bring about stronger communities and a better world.
- INCLUDE THE VISUAL IDENTIFIERS: All entries should include the orange cross or “X” to show what we don’t want, and an image of the sun to show what we do want – renewable energy for all!
Do you need some inspiration? You can download the Rise for Climate Arts Toolkit here.
To submit your own artwork. Click here.