sustainability
My practice is certainly not environmentally perfect, but I am deeply committed to continuous improvement and using my influence as we move towards a fair and regenerative future.
Art serves as a powerful tool to unite people, to educate, and drive meaningful change. I firmly believe in the ripple effect, as a catalyst for positive transformation.
I thought I’d share some of the changes I’ve made in my practice and business, to show my commitment and to potentially inspire.
2024 -Sold my car. Committed to travelling by foot, bike, public transport and the occasional car hire.
2024 -Began using digital business cards.
2024 -I have finally found a company making refillable glue sticks!
https://learnplaynexus.com/product-category/adhesives-and-stationery/glue-sticks-and-u-fill-system/
2024 -Moved large video files from cloud to external hard drive.
2023 -Had my laptop refurbished, to extend it’s life, rather than replacing it.
2022 -Learned to make anthotypes (regenerative, alternative photographic technique, using plants from my allotment).
2021 -Moved email hosting to Ecohosting. UK based, powered by renewables.
2020 -One of the founding members of Closing The Loop (sustainable artist/maker collective).
2014 -Joined Edinburgh Tool Library.
2013 -Began saving with an ethical pension provider.
2007 -Switched to Ecotricity energy supplier for home and studio. They invest profits into building renewables.
2004 -Switched from Barclays, to an ethical bank.
2002 -Began using scrap stores. I make use of Borders Scrapstore in Selkirk/Musselburgh, Scrap Antics, Dundee, CAN -Circular Arts Network.
Use of waste materials.
Use of easily recyclable materials.
Use of biodegradable materials.
Try to buy second hand tools and equipment. If there’s something I need, I always search for second hand first.
Questioning the value of the things I make (and make with participants).
Considering the end of life of my creations.
My website is image heavy (I’m a visual artist!). All images have been carefully resized and compressed to lower carbon emissions.
Periodically decluttering photos, videos, files, emails.
Ecosia as my default search engine, on all devices. (Servers run on renewables. Use 100% of profits for reforestation and solar energy projects).
Create low firing clay kilns which are regenerative and are reclaimed by the earth within a few months.
Selecting earthenware over stoneware, for its lower firing properties.
Single firings (rather than two separate bisque and glaze firing).
Moving away from ceramics. Ceramics was my degree and will always be my first love, but it creates such a permanent material. That is fine for a ceramicist making beautiful tableware which should last for generations. I’m considering the ethics of using such a permanent material for my participatory projects.
This is an ongoing list. If you have suggestions or want inspire me with the changes you’ve made in your own life, get in touch via my socials or by email.
Photography ©Hannah Ayre