Art taps into water issue
University of Ulster artists are linking up with Tearfund to highlight the need for clean water in developing countries.
Art pieces created by past and present students at the School of Art, Design and the Built Environment in Belfast will be on show at the York Street campus later this month in a special exhibition entitled, ‘Water: Symbol, Element, Utility?'.
Members of the teaching staff are also donating work, which will be sold off in aid of, Tearfund, one of the leading Christian charities.
The idea for the exhibition came from School of Art graduate, Miriam Todd, who is currently working for Tearfund.
She said: "Tearfund had a similar campaign running in Scottish universities called ‘Art for Mercy'. We adapted the campaign to focus on water, sanitation and hygiene.
"Water is something we take for granted but it's still a big issue in many developing countries where 1.1 billion people live without clean water.
"I think the pieces of work submitted for this exhibition are great. It's good that students from across the School got involved - from architects to fine artists."
The exhibition has been organised by the University's Presbyterian chaplain, Rev Cheryl Meban in association with Tearfund.
She said: "We hope that by encouraging students to produce and exhibit work on the theme of water celebrating its mystery and power that the University and the wider community might be inspired and become more aware of the worldwide need for clean water and sanitation."
A private opening will take place on April 20th with special guest, ecological artist, David Haley BA MA FRSA. The exhibition will open to the public from April 21st to April 24th in Room 82A02 at the University's Belfast campus.
To read about the 'Make Life Flow' campaign from Tearfund, please click here.