Suzanne Hobbs. Environmental Artist, Climate Activist.

Uncertain Futures: Consumer Britain

 

During my investigation into the food crisis I realized that cutlery - knives, forks and spoons, represent an aspirational approach to food consumption in the developing world. In the west, although discarded by many in our take away culture, cutlery still represents the tools used to eat food with and it would be taboo to use them otherwise.

 

When previously exhibiting work I have been struck by how unsure young people are regarding issues surrounding climate change. Art works, that I viewed as fairly obvious condemnations of the Government’s climate change policy, were not understood unless I stood there and explained the concept.

 

With ‘Consumer Britain’ I have produced a piece of work where there can be no doubts as to what it is about. The viewer is seeing the shape of Britain inside and out, over run by misshapen plastic cutlery. Our fossil-fuelled life style no longer sustainable. Britain devoured by the hungry hoards.

 

Placing the image on  plastic Perspex seemed an ideal compliment to the cutlery and their inherent unsustainability. It provides the piece with an ethereal element , a floating Island, fate hanging in suspension. The work is supported by stainless steal rigging as an indicator of our colonial and industrial heritage.   

 

This detail shows clearly the warped nature of the cutlery. An atmosphere of uncertainty is created. The familiar is unfamiliar. Order has been replaced with chaos. Anarchic, mutant, gobs of gum yet strangle pure and fragile.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A darkened room. The viewer enters with uncertainty. Glowing in the centre of the room is the reverse image of a toxic Britain drawing you round. The radiant material intrigues and puzzles.