Sustainable Makers Meet Exhibition at Swansea College of Art
The ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½ Swansea College of Art’s Sustainable Makers Meet Exhibition is currently showcasing its work in the foyer of the Alex Building, until May 2nd. This collective of artists, activists, educators, researchers, students, makers, and curators have come together to develop initiatives and events centred around sustainable textile practices.
Inspired by Fashion Revolution 2024, the project has sparked conversations that explore critical issues surrounding the environment, the individual, and the economy through slow and collective making. Key themes include examining ‘who made our fabric’ and ‘who made our clothes,’ with a focus on repairing and remaking textiles. This exhibition highlights innovative, experimental practices emerging from the community and responds to the current exhibition ‘Come as You Really Are’, at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, delving into our attachment to the objects we collect and hold on to, including the tools of our craft.
Textile banners displayed in the windows promote Global Recycling Day, International Women’s Day, and Sustainability Week, leading up to Fashion Revolution Week at the end of April. Through artivist and activist practices, the collective aims to address contemporary issues such as modern slavery, conscious consumption, decolonisation, gender, and race.
Kath Clewett, artist and programme director for art and design foundation at UWTSD reflected that:
“Cultural traditions form a fascinating vehicle for transmitting information, providing a dynamic tool for teaching and learning. These traditions transcend geographical borders and provide rich opportunities for students to explore ideas related to language, religious practices, art, music, dance, cuisine, and other aspects of daily life.â€
In educational practice, understanding how things are made or crafted is deeply connected to historical values. This approach allows students to appreciate not only the technical aspects of creation but also the cultural and historical significance embedded within these practices. By exploring how this knowledge is passed down through generations, educators can engage students in active learning, encouraging them to reflect on the interconnections between history, culture, and community. This approach not only deepens their understanding of cultural heritage but also fosters critical thinking, empathy, and respect for diverse worldviews.
Shellie Holden, artist, lecturer and Ph.D Candidate, suggests, you cannot be a fashion/textile practitioner of the future without thinking about ethical and sustainable implications, and endorses slow making methods, collective and activist making in her own and others’ work.
Liz Tucker, textile artist and MA student, said:
“Sustainable making is not just a practice. In this space, we are creating more than art; we are echoing grassroots movements like Greenham Common through collective making and mending. By examining the stories behind the fabrics and clothes we wear, we are working toward a future where ethical consumption and social justice are a priority.â€
The Sustainable Makers Meet gathers every Tuesday from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. during term time in the Makers Room, Alex Building. If you are interested in joining this community, please contact Shellie Holden at shellie.holden@uwtsd.ac.uk for more details.
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476