Over 200 knitters have come together to create an art installation which raises questions about climate change. The work at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Australia, plays on what it would be like if we put on woolly jumpers rather than turn up the heating.
These are more than just your average pair of woolly gloves or a knitted scarf. These colourful flowers and leaves have been knitted individually to create a beautiful tapestry landscape. It's made entirely of wool and the aim is to prompt people to think about climate change.
==LISA KENDAL, Co-creator of WARM project==
What am I doing to create a positive and sustainable future? What actions can I take to do that?
The installation at the Art Gallery of Ballarat in Victoria, Australia, poses a question: What if instead of turning up the heating in your home you reached for a woolly jumper? The ladies from the Ballarat Country Women's Association (CWA) are among 200 knitters from around the world who contributed to this artwork. The knitters have been working on fifteen different patterns. But why knitting? Lisa Kendal came up with the WARM project idea after speaking with a struggling sheep farmer.
==LISA KENDAL, Co-creator of WARM project==
He just said one of the problems with the world is we've forgotten to warm ourselves with wool, we've become so dependent on fossil fuels and we just thought that was a gem of an idea.
Leaving a light carbon footprint was important for pattern creator Georgie Nicolson. For example, the knitted leaves can be reused as handy bookmarks afterwards.
==GEORGIE NICOLSON, Fibre Artist==
They can be used as bookmarks later on. Everything here has a purpose beyond just creating the image on the wall.
Painter Lars Stenberg came up with the tapestry's design.
==LARS STENBERG, Painter==
Working with each of these pieces is like working with precious jewels you know. I feel there's a sort of responsibility to take care of all the pieces people have knitted with love and time.
The artists hope the project will get you thinking, by creating a rich tapestry from a humble natural resource.
TRANSLATED BY:JESSICA OY