Guest Curation – Can Art Inspire Climate Action?

A curation of fine prints by Jack Bullen, founder of The Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair.

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair takes place 11 – 14 November 2021, coinciding with the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). We want to make the most of this opportunity to highlight the power of art in climate change and ask the question Can Art Inspire Climate Action?

In response, I have selected a number of works by contemporary artists for whom climate change has had some baring on their work, or would influence their subject in some capacity; either inspiring them to vocally challenge the current crisis, or respond to and record their relationship to the natural world.

The conversation surrounding climate change can so often be a pessimistic one. I have therefore highlighted works that look to inspire action through their portrayal of nature, or take a lighter approach through humour or narrative; works that can open up more accessible and positive avenues within the wider discussion.