MTHF Talk: An investigation into ecological grief and artistic activism

Please join us for a lightning talk from one of our members, talking about what she’s been working on. This will be followed by an informal More-Than-Human Futures group discussion.

Sabine Carter: A story of love and loss: an investigation into ecological grief and artistic activism

In the global accelerating ecological and climate crisis, feelings of ecological grief and climate anxiety are on the rise. Environmental artists and activists such as the Extinction Rebellion, use art to express environmentally related feelings of love and connectedness as well as grief and despair. This practice-led study explores the effects of ‘eco-artivism’ on the mental wellbeing of artists, activists, and communities. It does so through creating handmade artefacts, engaging with communities and interviewing ‘eco-artivists’. The results show that in a business-as-usual scenario that leads to global heating and ecocide with negative effects on mental health, ‘eco-artivism’ has the capacity to give agency, connect communities and contribute to resilience and mental wellbeing.