Art with a heart - Amber Robinson

Promoting global citizenship on the high street

Suffolk-based artists have been asked to contribute artwork that expresses the issues and ethics of the Oxfam charity and help promote in store products and sales. The work is being displayed in the window of the bookshop in fortnightly slots to encourage and increase the awareness of global issues.

Printmaker Wendy Rainbow was the first to exhibit. Her work ‘Fade-out' is a paper scroll displaying images of African children and animals affected by drought and malnutrition. Printed onto specialised photographic paper, the print was designed to gradually fade away in the sunlight, reflecting the death and decay in these harsh environments.

‘Bookscape’ bringing literature closer to nature

‘Bookscape' was a living installation inspired by the ‘Oxfam Unwrapped' replanting and watering scheme. The aim of the work was to “…highlight the cycle of regeneration. Books are made from trees as a raw material; the money raised from their sale is given to support schemes such as replanting.”

The work was created from a collection of old books that appear ‘sprouting' from a bed of soil – reminiscent of their original form, with cress and mustard plants growing from the pages. Artist Amber Robinson commented “… Over a period of two weeks the work has become a living sculpture, plants have grown and changed. Insects have taken residency. It reflects the basic requirements of nurture and time to sustain life”

Every day more than 25,000 people die from water borne diseases

The latest work to be displayed is a wood-fired clay pot with the inscription “Everyday more than 25,000 people die from water-borne diseases” created by ceramicist Laura Potter.

Based on traditional design ‘killer-Thirst' is a water vessel with a stark message that emphasises the concern of access to clean safe water being a global crisis. Artist Laura Potter said “The base of the artwork also incorporates clay which is not fired. I'd hoped that naturally drying the clay would give the effect of cracked earth devoid of moisture”.

Project organiser Jay Miller is clear about the reasons behind developing the ‘Oxfam Opens 2 Art' scheme. “I wanted local artists to respond to the ethos and ethics of Oxfam and bear in mind the charity's interests. The space gives the artists an opportunity to explore their ideas and present them to the public. The artwork brings focus to third world issues, reminding people of the pure gluttony of the way we shop in the west and to keep the charitable work prominent.”

The project will run until December 2006, and depending on the success and popularity will continue for a further 6 months in 2007.