THERE’S a long and proud history of activists who have worked for a better world by rebelling against the status quo when change was needed. The suffragettes and civil rights protesters often spring to mind, but many others have also changed our world for the better over the centuries.
This history will be brought right up to date at Blue Marble Refill, the zero waste shop over the next few weeks. The role of current-day activists will be illustrated in an exhibition of Faces of Rebellion with the public being welcome from 14 April to 3 May with a private viewing on Thursday 17 April 5-8pm.
Blue Marble Refill, zero waste shop, and Criwdem Celf CIC, an arts-focused space at 45 King Street, Carmarthen, have recently opened their collaborative area at 45 King Street Carmarthen.
The exhibition is part of an international art activism project. Currently there are five artists involved and two have published work so far. This exhibition will include work by both of them, namely Bitterjug and Solutionairy.
Bitterjug is the name used by Mark Skipper, who originated the project.
He said: “I’m a software engineer with a sketchbook. I’m also a climate activist, and reportage sketcher: I take my sketchbook to protests to capture scenes and atmosphere in ways that photography cannot.”
Mark’s sketches of activists’ faces are surrounded by the person’s own words about how and why they became active, and the variety is striking.
Mark continued: “Faces of Rebellion tells the stories of climate activists as humans in a way the media cannot. Its enduring themes are compassion and community.”
Solutionairy, from The Netherlands, explains her background: “I trained as a solution focussed psychologist. We focus on people’s strengths and their unique ways to deal with life’s challenges.
“With Faces of Rebellion I get to apply this to our greatest challenge. I’m inspired by the variety of stories of courage and kindness in the face of climate breakdown.”
The exhibition has been arranged by Extinction Rebellion Carmarthen members, including Harriet Baggley who has generously provided the venue at Blue Marble Refill.
She said: “Turning on the news it is easy to feel disheartened by the lack of climate action, with storms, flooding and famine taking the headlines so often. We must remind our selves that things are improving if slowly and we all have a part to play.
“This could be by changing the way we shop, where we bank, protesting and taking non-violent direct action to challenge damaging practices.
“This exhibition aims to be inspiring and positive.”
If you’d like more information about the exhibition or about local climate campaigning, contact [email protected] or phone Harriet 07518 594160.
