Telling climate story through art

The African Narrative on Climate Change, known for its commitment to climate change sensitisation and advocacy, recently held an exhibition to celebrate the World Heat Day.  

The exhibition, which was held at the French Institute in Wuse, Abuja, showcased a stunning array of art, including captivating paintings, intricate sculptures, and beautiful woodwork. The art pieces served as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting the environment in the face of looming climate change.

The Executive Director of Climate Change and the convener, Aaron John, told The Guardian that art is a perfect medium to preach the gospel of climate change.  

According to him, art is a universal language that speaks without the bias of ethnicity, religion and political affiliation. 

Aaron emphasised that everybody should be driven by curiosity and ask the necessary questions about climate change to the appropriate authorities and policymakers. 

“We’ve been setting records after records of hot temperatures, and we thought one of the best ways to speak a universal language is art because of no bias or political affiliation. Art transcends barriers, and for the very first time, we want to understand what people think instead of telling them what we think. So, art was a good way for us to invoke expressions and then showcase that expression. Art is fun, and by bringing them to a fun atmosphere, we can talk about something serious.

“The artist, policymakers, community members, governments, and private organizations should be intentional with telling the untold stories of climate change. We should educate our children on the need to protect the environment. Everyone should start now by asking relevant questions to authorities involved in setting policies that affect the climate.”

The curator for the exhibition, Maryam Ahmed, revealed that every art piece submitted is a reflection of the commitment of Nigerian artists towards sensitising the world about climate change complications. 

She said: “We didn’t even have to go too far to find some of the artists. We just communicated the theme to them and they submitted works that are not entirely new. It shows that these artists too are thinking and acting.  

“There is an art piece whose medium is mud, showing how the earth is fast-degrading. We also have work from wood that depicts the fragility of the earth. Art and climate change, are interconnected.”

Also, one of the artists whose work was on display, Mariam Mohammed, expressed her excitement at the essence of the exhibition when she said: 

“These days, people don’t like to read, so illustrating the many implications and possible solutions of climate change through art can aid in understanding. I did a painting of a mother struggling to keep her baby cool with a hand fan due to the intense heat waves. That tells the story of what struggling nursing mothers are going through currently in the country.”