Ocean of Plastic Awareness Day: A Call for Action from Artist Oenone Hammersley As we navigate through the current global crisis, it’s easy to forget about the other pressing issues we are facing as a planet. One such issue is plastic pollution in our oceans, and November 22nd marks the Oceans of Plastic Awareness Day. This global campaign serves as a wake-up call to the devastating impact of plastic waste on our marine ecosystems and aims to inspire change and promote sustainable solutions. One artist who has taken this call to action to heart is Oenone Hammersley.
Hammersley, a contemporary artist with over 40 years of exhibiting experience, has always been passionate about the environment and the natural world. Her paintings, currently on display at the Walton Fine Arts in Chelsea, focus on aspects of nature such as water and trees. Through her use of abstract and semi-abstract techniques, she manages to capture the raw and rare beauty of our natural resources, urging the viewers to appreciate their significance and take notice of the ever-changing world around us. Being deeply concerned about plastic pollution, Hammersley has incorporated this issue into her art. Her latest collection, aptly titled “Art for the Earth-Water and Fire,” features paintings on cut-out wooden panels and canvas, showcasing the theme of water and its importance to our planet.
Using vibrant colors and light, she highlights the vanishing world of wilderness and the unsettling ways in which man alters nature. Drawing from her training and experience in theatre design, Hammersley presents a wide array of visual stimuli in her artworks, gained through her extensive travels. Her unique technique involves hand-painting and multiple paint pouring, along with the use of collage to create texture. The water theme is further enhanced by a resin finish, adding a lustrous effect to the paintings. While her previous projects have also focused on our natural resources, her water paintings hold special significance in today’s world. From the beautiful ripples in the sea to the dreamlike reflections in Venice, her artworks celebrate water in all its forms. However, they also serve as a cautionary tale, as the current environmental crisis has resulted in the sea being littered with plastic and other waste. The juxtaposition of the stunning blues and greens of the ocean against the sad reality of plastic pollution cannot be ignored. As we celebrate Oceans of Plastic Awareness Day, it’s time to take a moment to reflect on our actions and their impact on the environment. Hammersley’s artworks serve as a reminder of the urgent need for change and a call to action for all of us to take steps towards a more sustainable future. Making a trip to Walton Fine Arts and viewing her paintings can help raise awareness and inspire individuals to make a positive difference in the world. Let’s all join hands and work towards preserving our oceans for future generations.