Sustainable Art: The Artists creating Beautiful Eco-Friendly Artworks (Full Article)

GWER reporter Chloé speaks to three artists with a connection to Cornwall who incorporate sustainability into their creative practice

Image: Cathy Harrison, Linkden, Junk Mail Art

Sustainability is something that we can incorporate into all areas of our lives. Creative fields are leading the way in conversations around sustainability and have led to the development of pioneering works that use innovative materials and techniques to have a positive impact on the environment, calling for social change.  

I spoke to three artists with a connection to Cornwall who incorporate sustainable practices into their work to learn more about the importance of caring for our environment, what sustainability means to them and how we can incorporate a sustainable mindset into all areas of our lives.

Sustainable artist Cathy Harrison, Junk Mail Art, is one of Cornwall's leading contemporary mixed media collage artists. Her beautiful artwork captures the joy of vibrant landscapes across Cornwall. Her work features locations from across the county, including Land's End, Helford Passage, Enys Gardens, Falmouth, The Eden Project and more. Her colourful and vivacious artwork are created by giving new life to donated and recycled magazines.  

Ecological artist Hester Ellis, a Falmouth University Graduate, incorporates natural materials into their work, exploring a mixed media expression of time, environment, growth and play. Through foraging for dye plants, creating ritualistic bundles, burying work and archiving unpredictable communications she connects with the natural world, exploring themes of control and the forces that surround us. Her artistic practice and creative drive are solely reliant on that of the natural world and aims to shed light on the possibilities that sustainable creativity holds.

Artist and podcaster Anna Harris is based in Cornwall and also a Falmouth University Graduate. Her work revolves around gathering materials from the landscape, particularly from intertidal zones. This informs her sculptural work, becoming alchemically fused into ceramic trace-fossils, or lost to the geological furnace of bronze casting. Her drawing practice tends towards the sculptural, reflecting unreadable forms which then buckle and warp as the paper itself is subjected to the same watery processes as the gathered material. Her work encourage us to look closer at the material agencies around us.

We discuss their individual creative journeys, innovative sustainable processes working with recycled materials and natural elements, and discuss the importance of incorporating sustainability into creative careers in order to protect our planet and ensure a sustainable future.

Image: Cathy Harrison, Linkden, Junk Mail Art

Cathy Harrison 

How did your journey with Junk Mail Art first begin?  

Art and creativity have always been my lifelong passions. Although I spent a significant portion of my career self-employed in the handicraft industry, my true aspiration was always to become an artist. Lockdown provided me with the perfect opportunity to pursue this dream. Inspired by Cornwall's vibrant colours, landscapes, and environment, I decided to infuse my art business with both creativity and ethics. Collage, a medium I had long admired but never had the time to explore, became my chosen form of expression. Armed with old magazines, scissors, and glue, I delved into the world of collaging. To my family's amazement, they encouraged me to sell my creations. Thus, I established an online account and created the name "Junk Mail Art" to encapsulate my purpose. 

Where do you source your materials?  

For Junk Mail Art, I rely entirely on donated materials. Friends, family, neighbours, and even my hairdresser contribute their old magazines, thrilled to see them repurposed into something beautiful instead of ending up in the bin. 

Who are your main artistic inspirations? 

While I draw inspiration from other collage artists my technique is self-taught, resulting in a unique style. Unlike many artists who incorporate mixed media, I prefer to remain a paper collage purist, finding immense satisfaction in crafting scenes solely from recycled paper. 

How has your passion for the environment influenced your art?  

Driven by my passion for the environment, I've ensured that my business is not only ethical in its material sourcing but also in its packaging. All packaging is recycled, and I use local framers and printers to minimise my ecological footprint. 

What does sustainability mean to you as an artist? 

In a world overwhelmed by waste, it's crucial to become more resourceful. Through my art, I strive to make a small yet meaningful difference, both environmentally and economically. Repurposing waste materials is not just a livelihood for me; it's a commitment to a sustainable future. 

What’s been your favourite art piece that you’ve created so far?  

One of my proudest creations is a collage depicting Falmouth High Street, capturing the vibrancy and charm of the town that I adore. 

Image: Cathy Harrison, Linkden, Junk Mail Art

What advice would you give to young people incorporating sustainable practice into their work?  

As you embark on an art career, sustainability has to remain a core principle. Whether it's creating art in a sustainable manner or sourcing materials ethically, I believe it's essential to align with environmental values. The response can be overwhelmingly positive, with many eager to contribute unused materials for a new purpose. 

Do you have any projects/ upcoming exhibitions planned?  

I'll be participating in Open Studios in May, and you're welcome to visit. For more information, please check the Open Studios Cornwall website. Additionally, I exhibit at the Poly, Falmouth, the week before Christmas every year. 

Where is the best place/websites for people support your artwork? 

For more of my work, please visit my website: junkmailart.co.uk. 

Image: Hester Ellis

Hester Ellis 

How did your journey as an artist begin? 

For me I think growing up was my journey to becoming an artist, it was a completely natural progression. As a child I was in awe for the natural world around me and as I grew up that curiosity and love grew with me, until one day instead of making fairy dens and mud pies I started to draw the objects I collected, and since then, I have never stopped collecting, watching and immersing myself in the natural world. 

How do you incorporate elements of nature into your artistic practice? 

The materials I use shift depending on the seasons and my environment, and I really enjoy the loss of control which this reliance creates. When I walk, I collect things like seed pods, seaweeds, roots, flowers and depending on their individual character I create work with or inspired by them. This could be making plant-based paper, drawing them, creating sculptural objects and mobiles. The objects I gather really do dictate the work that I create. 

As an ecological artist, why do you feel it is important to connect with nature? 

It is important (absolutely essential) to connect with nature because nature is life, it is all that carries you and I around this massive and complex world. I believe that in order to understand our place in our own and others' lives, we need to understand our reliance on the natural world and open our eyes to the knowledge and care that lies with it. 

Image: Hester Ellis

What does sustainability mean to you as an artist? 

I try to take sustainability into account in all aspects of my life, but most prolifically as an artist. It is important to me that I am continuously conscious of my impact/how I can have as little impact on the natural world as possible. This involves having respect, understanding and very often common sense in order to never take too much. Alongside using natural materials, I am very drawn to recycling, reusing and reforming materials – there is so much you can do with simple mediums, and I have learnt a lot from artistic friends who also enjoy foraging for materials in all aspects of life. If you start to look for them, materials for creativity will start to sing everywhere you go. The onion skins, avocado pits and turmeric skin in your kitchen can dye fabrics, the cardboard from your latest delivery can be the base for a mask, your neighbours' Cotinus (smoke tree) prunings may look great in paper! Talking and sharing knowledge & materials amongst ourselves as creative and imaginative people is such a rich way of being more sustainable, we are not on our own in this world after all! 

What’s been your favourite piece/project that you’ve created so far? 

In my third year at university in Falmouth I created a sculptural piece called NEST//BOWL//VESSEL, which still holds a very special place in my heart. This bowl was made from naturally dyed fabric pieces bundled with plants, buried and re-surfaced, so they all had a story to tell about decay, time and growth. I created it for myself to sit in, as a space of reflection and calm. 

This piece was the main focus of my degree show, and I loved hearing that others felt drawn to sit in it and experience it like I did. Although I loved this piece a huge amount, after a few months of having it in my studio at home, and it being in an exhibition at The Poly, I decided to deconstruct it. It had run its course, and honestly I didn’t have the space to keep it. This seems like a shame, but one of the parts of being sustainable is to re-use, so I now once again have a pile of fabrics I can use when working on new things - always to be reminded of my nest and adding layers of story to their life. 

What's been the most challenging element of your creative practice? 

There have been many pieces and projects that I haven’t worked on or finished due to not being able to use sustainable materials. I find myself completely torn between the desire to make and to see an idea come into fruition, versus the impact that making it will create on the planet. But through all of this comes a tenacious spark that pushes me to be inventive and to honour the deep connection I feel towards the natural world - The challenge is very much a part of it, and it is so worth pushing through. 

What advice would you give to young people in incorporating sustainable practices into their work? 

Play! I feel that it is so important to play around within your creative practice, allowing space for experimentation and mistakes. Giving yourself this space can open the doors to understanding what mediums are integral to your work, where you can shift to more sustainable methods and perhaps where you cannot - but the awareness of this is the first step. I have seen fantastic works made completely from found materials (most recently the fantastic Morgawr created from thrown out polystyrene, paper-mâché and re-claimed paint by Calista Wild) and have had so much fun myself seeking out new ways of working - there is a huge amount of satisfaction from creating something from nothing. 

What projects/upcoming exhibitions do you have planned for the future? 

I am working on a few behind the scenes projects, as well as planning various workshops I hope to set up over summer. Most of all I am enjoying the slow shift into Spring, and looking forward to lighter & longer days ahead! 

Where is the best place/website for people to support your artwork? 

Instagram @hesterm.e is the best place to see what I'm up to! 

Image: Anna Harris

Anna Harris

How did your journey as an artist begin?

When I first left sixth form I actually started out doing a degree in Natural Sciences, but soon realised

I would much rather be doing art! I did a foundation course in Art & Design at Oxford Brookes

University and then studied Fine Art at Falmouth University, graduating in 2022. Since then I have

been working from my studio in a quarry in Mabe Burnthouse, alongside running workshops and co-

hosting the podcast Down to a Fine Art.

How do you incorporate elements of nature into your artistic practice?

Concern about the climate crisis underpins a lot of my work, and so as a result many projects

incorporate elements of nature. I try to challenge how we think about nature as a passive, separate

realm over which humans have dominance, and instead focus attention on all the incredible more-

than-human, and even abiotic, agencies that exist. I seem to keep coming back to rock as a material

to work and think with as it’s a great example of something that isn’t perceived as being particularly

lively but, when you look closely enough, or slightly reframe how you think about it, is surprisingly

dynamic! So I suppose I incorporate nature into my work both as subject matter – for instance I’ve

done a project where I tracked 12 rocks across a beach for a month and my current project is

exploring rocks that ‘do things’ – but also as a medium itself, such as my last body of work called

things, which was a series of gathered natural artefacts from the Cornish landscape presented

alongside experimental ceramic pieces made from similarly foraged materials such as clay and rocky

industrial byproducts.

Do you feel it is important to connect with nature?

Absolutely! I think one of the biggest reasons we find ourselves in the current climate crisis is

because the systems of extraction which keep us supplied with the products we depend upon

completely disconnect us from the products’ material origins. I personally find that when I connect

more with nature – be that by going for a walk or by reading/watching a video which teaches me

something about the natural world – I become more sensitive to the tangible impact the things I

chose to do or buy might be having on a natural ecosystem elsewhere. Of course, from a mental

wellbeing perspective it is also hugely beneficial to connect with nature purely to enjoy and

appreciate it – unhappy people who have no strong feelings towards nature aren’t going to want to

go out of their way to care for it!

What does sustainability mean to you as an artist?

For me, sustainability primarily brings to mind the physical material impacts that my work has on the

world. I try to consider if the materials I buy have been produced through harmful processes or if

they might become harmful later in their lives, as well as trying to use second-hand/recycled

materials where possible and, if I have to buy new materials, trying not to buy more than I need. This

also applies to things like gathering natural materials – I’m aware that even a seemingly sustainable

activity like gathering my own natural materials might still have a detrimental impact on the

environment/ecosystem they are removed from. So I suppose sustainability is a mindset – I

appreciate my choices can never be perfect but as long as I consider the sustainability of the choices

I’m making, hopefully their negative impact can be reduced.

What’s been your favourite piece/project that you’ve created so far?

I think my answer to this changes day to day! I really enjoyed the piece I mentioned earlier where I

tracked rocks as they moved across a beach. I did two versions of this project: one where I tracked a

singular rock for eight months (until I lost it!) and the other where I tracked 12 rocks for a month.

This is a project I’d love to revisit someday with some more sophisticated technology – I mainly did it

visually (each rock was painted white, and numbered, with non-toxic paint to enhance visibility)

which made it quite a labour of love, and a real challenge to plot each rock’s course accurately!

However I still really enjoy the simplicity and playfulness of the piece, and how, for me at least, it

really makes me think about just how much there is going on out there to which humans are entirely

irrelevant.

Image: Anna Harris

What’s been the most challenging element of your creative practice?

A big challenge, and something I spend a lot of time thinking about, is working out how art can

meaningfully contribute to tackling the climate crisis, and therefore what role my work plays within

this. It sometimes feels like the role of art should be simply to communicate what the science is

telling us, and while this is absolutely a worthwhile endeavour, I’m curious to explore what else art is

capable of – what change art can uniquely bring about.

What advice would you give to young people in incorporating sustainable practices into their

work?

I suppose mainly what I mentioned above – try to have a sustainable mindset. This can often just

mean slowing down in order to carefully consider e.g. if you really need to buy/use a certain

material, how much of it you need, if you could find it from a local supplier etc. But equally don’t be

too hard on yourself! As long as you’re trying that’s the main thing – no one is perfect!

What projects/upcoming exhibitions do you have planned for the future?

At the moment I’m developing some workshops for the Eden Project and for Make It Better CIC’s

‘Active Looking Project’. The Eden Project workshop will respond to their current exhibition, Acts of

Gathering, which brings together artworks exploring and celebrating food culture around the world,

particularly practices surrounding planting, growing, and harvesting. The workshops will focus

specifically on the weird and wonderful world of soil and the alien creatures that exist in this hidden

world beneath our feet. These creatures give us the balanced soil biome we need to grow our food,

so participants will create their own plantable sculptures which simultaneously celebrate them and

actively enhance their environment through the dispersal of wildflower seeds. The Active Looking

Project workshop will be part of my ongoing project Rocks that do things, and will explore just that –

rocks that do things! The group will go hunting for some rocks and will be challenged to consider the

ways in which the rocks might be ‘doing things’. After that we’ll create some collages from re-

purposed geological textbooks (amongst other things) in response to our findings.

Where is the best place/websites for people support your artwork?

My website is anna-harris.co.uk and my Instagram is @anna.harris.art

For more information on the artists featured in this article visit: 

Cathy Harrison: Cornish Collage Artist (junkmailart.co.uk) 

Hester Ellis: https://hesterellis.hotglue.me/

Anna Harris: anna-harris.co.uk