Annual Recycled Art Event Celebrates Justice

Annual Recycled Art Event Celebrates Justice for Women

The annual Junk to Green Funk, recycled art exhibition - organised by Trade aid, called on Cantabrians to create a piece of art along the theme of 'Just Women'. The Prizegiving took place at Nothlands Mall lastnight. Event organiser, Rebekah Wyatt from Trade aid says 'With over 30 entries - including school students, environmentally conscious individuals and professional artists from around the Canterbury region, this years Junk to Green Funk promoted justice for women as well as the environment'

Results from Junk to Green Funk 2010:

Professional:
1st Place: 'Mosiac Hen' by Michael Abrahamson.
2nd Place: 'Oop's' by Andrew Lyons.

Open:
1st Place: 'Victorian Bridal Collections' by Deidre Rogers.
2nd Place: 'Nameless, Faceless' by Krystal Moody.

Children:
1st Place: 'Dolls House' by Ruby Walpole (aged 5).
2nd Place: 'Multicultural Women' by Chelsea Yeoman.

'The theme 'Just Women' was selected by Trade aid because women are the most disadvantaged group in the world. Globally, women make up two thirds of those living in poverty' said Trade aid volunteer Sarah Campagnolo. 'This equates to disadvantages in terms access to education, health care, jobs as well as safety from physical and emotional abuse, in rural and urban environments' said Campagnolo.

Campagnolo explained further, 'Trade aid creates trading relationships based on dialogue and respect with women and men in 36 countries across the Majority (developing) world'. 'Opportunites arising from these relationships include access to interest free finance, education, healthcare and environmental education programmes that are dedicated to empowering women'. 'These programmes are important because women handcraft the majority of craft products produced and sold around the world'. 'Focusing on the theme of 'Just Women' creates a thread between people here in Aotearoa New Zealand and women in the Majority (developing) world.'

Year 13 student, Krysta; Moody from Kaiapoi high school who won 2nd prize in the open section with her piece called 'Nameless, Faceless' said, 'We don't get to hear their voice, see their face or understand the weight thats on their head'. 'I had lots of fun making this piece from a pillow case, soil, cumin, bark and paint.'

Local environmental leaders – Creative Junk were also on hand to 'show people they can make a difference through learning how to put plastic back into use in a fun and creative way'. Christine Jackson, Manager of Creative Junk said 'We've started a trend, lots of the plastic tops from drinks you see on the footpath have become part of a clothing range used annually in the Santa Parade'. Jackson says 'We run workshops for children in the school holidays that promote creative and imaginative ways to reuse everyday objects we would usually throw away'.

Winner of the professional section – Michael Abrahamson used his creative skills, learnt through volunteering at the University of Canterbury community gardens to make the winning piece 'Mosaic hen'. Michael says 'I was offered the opportunity to do a mosiac course through the Sustainability Community at the University of Canterbury. The gardens here promote a Permaculture system which values animals in the garden. These hens are great because the kids, from the surrounding play centres who regularly visit the gardens love to stroke the hens.' Abrahamson says 'Its fun and makes the vegetables stand out.'

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