Graham Hall is an artist who is well known for his wood sculptural work. Graham recently featured in our "Ellyn" exhibition where his piece centered around themes of the changing environment. We spoke to Graham in the lead up to COP26 about his views on the relationship between Climate Change and the Arts.
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference. This year it is scheduled to be held in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, between 31 October and 12 November 2021.
Q What is your professional background in the arts?
A I’m not professionally qualified in the arts as I was trained as an engineer and then a businessman however I always enjoyed developing ideas, inventing and design which I think indicated a path that I would later follow.
Q What inspired you to pursue a career as artist?
A I needed a total change in direction, work had taken my health to a very low level and without an abrupt change I would have most likely died many years ago. I always wanted to be a creative, so I set off on a path that I thought I could manage and enjoy. I chose wood as a medium that I could understand and work with.
Q When did you first become aware of the climate change crisis? Was there a specific event or person who highlighted this?
A About 20 years ago when I married a scientist who was very informed and deeply troubled about the direction that the environment was and still is, moving in.
Q Tell us what the relationship between art and environmentalism means to you?
A I feel that it is the duty of artists to express those opinions that society turns away from, the inconvenient truths. It’s not just the environment but also so many aspects of social ‘development’ and behaviour. Whether though visual, written or spoken means, we have a responsibility to society and the planet to reflect the difficult topics back onto the people who would otherwise comfortably ignore them.
Q What is the role of art in climate change mitigation?
A Spreading the truth, that strong message, through pictures, words, film, sculpture and our behaviour and of course providing a means of fulfilment for those who will have less to do in a more automated world .
Q What is the greatest challenge facing the planet right now in your opinion?
A Apathy and the financial structure of the world economy. Unless there is continual economic growth the world appears to collapse in on itself. This in reality of life on earth is nonsense and the cycle must change in order to reverse the destruction of the environment.
Q What progress have you seen – share a positive news story in regards to climate change action.
A I subscribe to a global tree planting initiative and millions of new trees are being planted all over the world, here on the island, the Manx Woodland Trust are slowly and steadily, planting new trees, a massive task, but a beginning. And of course the People’s Wood, a legacy of Howard Quayle’s administration is completed. The Green movement is growing and our young people are much more willing to accept and press hard for the changes needed.
Q Who are your favourite Artist(s) who tackle themes of Climate Change?
A The one who springs to mind is Andy Goldsworthy as his work expresses impermanence and highlights the fact that all thing are temporary and will pass.
Q What message would you like to leave readers with in the wake of COP26?
A It’s a world problem but it is very much the responsibility of the individual to make change, to organise, to pressurise corporations, financiers and politicians. Don’t turn your back on this problem, do something and do it now.
Q What is next for you?
A Making the things that I want, not what others want. Is that selfish?, yes very, but my time is coming to a close and I want to enjoy as much of it as I can, especially in making wonderful things
