Plastic Imprints

Examining nature through a plastic lens An optical Illusion

Damian Mc Carney

A mesmerising seascape is immediately apparent. Your eye’s dragged in every direction across the canvas by the interplay of the tide of energetic colours and oil paint generously lathered on with a palette knife. That’s how Evelyn Sorohan’s artwork titled ‘Atlantic Ocean’ at first appears, the truth of the medium used is somewhat different.“That’s part of the deception,” delights Evelyn. “That’s good that you think that. I want people to partly be deceived, to think - gosh isn’t that a fabulous painting - and then they’re drawn in and begin to look at it and go –God how is that actually made?”Evelyn’s material of choice is a second cousin of oil paint; it’s actually discarded household plastic and found plastic which she has treated and carefully applied to the composition......

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"Environmental artist Evelyn Sorohan presented Plastics Imprints, a thought-provoking exhibition at Clare Museum"

The exhibition not only highlighted the ecological damage caused by plastics but also showcased the potential for creative reuse. By transforming waste into art, Sorohan encouraged meaningful conversations and hands-on workshops centred on sustainability, conservation, and the future of our planet. Plastics Imprints was a powerful and thought-provoking show that resonated deeply with those passionate about art, nature, and the environment.

The exhibition saw record attendance, with over 500 visitors participating in Sorohan’s workshops. As the Museum Director said 'Evelyn’s show was the most successful art exhibition we have ever held.'

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Participatory Art as providing most opportunities for engagement

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"The participatory art dimension of this exhibition had the greatest impact on me as an artist. I realised that in the future, I needed to expand my multidisciplinary practice to further explore environmental issues, such as our ubiquitous use of plastics. One of the most surprising revelations was how few members of the public were aware that plastics are fossil-fuel-based products. I had school and community groups in for the workshops. I was fascinated as how the children brought in large bags of waste plastics and spoke excitedly about what had come inside the packaging. it brought home to me the power of advertising, colour and marketing in our capitalist world.

Interestingly, I discovered that the public had a strong interest in recycling plastics and creating art with them. Once they were presented with the science behind how plastics are made (displayed alongside the art in the exhibition space), discussions and debates flourished. These conversations extended beyond the creation of plastics to broader issues, such as the environmental damage caused by fossil fuels. Many participants expressed a desire to reduce their reliance on oil, petrol, and gas and to transition to greener energy sources.

Over 90% of participants reported that, after the workshop and the combination of creative and scientific learning, they intended to reduce their consumption of plastic items, clothing, and packaging. This was an incredibly encouraging outcome. The exhibition revealed that the public is deeply interested in the root causes of climate change". (Artist)

Many attendees spoke about their lack of knowledge and the limited opportunities they’ve had to discuss their climate-related fears. They expressed gratitude for having a safe, creative space to learn about these issues and explore potential solutions together. This experience affirmed for me the power of participatory art to spark meaningful conversations, educate, and inspire action in addressing our environmental challenges. This exhibition gave me the motivation and inspiration to

seek rich collaborations with environmental and climate scientists. It was pivotal in me leading the design and content for the later Climate Action Programmes for Schools (CAPS)

Fionn can this (CAPS) link people directly into the project on it or page on it CAPS

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Climate Resilience Workshops

These workshops aim to equip communities with the knowledge and skills to adapt to climate change. Participants learn about climate risks and develop action plans to enhance resilience. The program includes interactive sessions, expert speakers, and community discussions to foster collaboration and innovation.

Fionn please download images from evelynsorohan.com site: My work section and display here please as this is the collection they ought to be in.

Evelyn

Topics Covered

• Disaster preparedness
• Water conservation
• Community planning