Young environmental advocates are set to bring a powerful, thought-provoking artwork to the streets of Frome.
The group, aged seven to 18 years old, will carry a handmade globe sculpture created from rubbish collected on local streets, along with natural and recycled materials, from the Cheese and Grain to Rook Lane Chapel on 7th March.
The artwork, called ‘Plastic Bones’, symbolises the heavy burden of plastic pollution on our planet and the vital role of everyone in holding up its future.
Project coordinator of Frome Youth Climate Action, Chris Redmond, said, “This Green and Healthy Frome project, funded by the Lottery’s Climate Action Fund, based in Edventure and facilitated by Future Shed, started by looking at how much waste the world produces, around 400 million tons of plastic per year – roughly equal to the combined weight of all people on Earth – yet only about 10% of this plastic is recycled.”
A member of the group, Matilda, said, “When leaders become children, children become leaders. And we’re asking: what kind of world do we want to grow up into?”
This sculpture, created in collaboration with local artist Julie Stark, embodies the urgent truth that the world is shaped by what we throw away and by who chooses to bear that weight.
Chris said, “From when we first met in June last year, this project has been shaped by the ideas of the members. We’ve been meeting every week, developing the design, doing litter picks, writing campaign materials, researching the themes and making a piece of work that hopefully provokes some thought, conversation and action from those who encounter it. The group has worked really hard, because they care deeply about the world and the health of its inhabitants.”
The procession of young people will begin at 11am from the Cheese and Grain car park to Rook Lane Chapel, where a screening of the documentary ‘Future Council’ will take place from 2pm to 4pm, followed by a Q&A session with the group.
‘Future Council’ (PG), directed by Damon Gameau (known for 2040 and That Sugar Film), follows eight children on a biofuel-powered road trip across Europe as they challenge powerful leaders and seek solutions to ecological crises.
On 14th March, Frome Youth Climate Action will continue their activism with a second procession starting at 12pm from Victoria Park, finishing at the Cheese and Grain at 1.30pm.
Frome Youth Climate Action is a new initiative supporting a team of 12- to 18-year-olds in Frome to take climate action in their own way, using their own voice.
Chris said, “Join us to witness, support, and be inspired by Frome’s young people holding up our planet’s future.”
