Uncertain Futures: White Goods, 2008. Cedar, Sand, Skull, flex and bulb.
Uncertain Futures -White Goods
I started coming across the term ‘environmental refugee’ in newspaper articles and journals on a regular basis and became intrigued by what the expression really meant. What I learnt was astonishing and compelled me to create the installation White Goods.
In this work I wanted to express statelessness and displacement. The fear of being isolated from society, rejected without status or rights. The packing crate stands alone. In its unclaimed state I wished the crate to suggest movement without destination, undesirable cargo that remains rejected.
Its contents stand testimony to lost cultures and habitats. Sub – Sahara Africa accounts for the highest percentage of environmental refugees. The sand indicates a landscape that can not support life, a homeland that can no longer nurture its people. The skull suggests the demise of ancient nomadic cultures who placed cattle at the core of their existence.
The lone light bulb hangs above the container. Its starkness intimidates. The light is authoritative without warmth or comfort. Stamped on the side of the crate are the words White Goods.
Environmental refugees are not recognised by the Geneva Convention and currently have no rights or protection. It has been estimated that the strains of climate change could force some 150 million people to flee their homes by the year 2050.
Uncertain Futures: White Goods, detail,2008.