Photography student from Thurston Community College, near Bury St Edmunds, uses plastic to create installations with environmental message
A student with an interest in climate change has used plastic as part of a photography project to demonstrate the need for change in our single-use society.
Oliver Snow, a Year 13 student at Thurston Community College, near Bury St Edmunds, undertook a series of three installation pieces for his final photography exam.
His interest in climate change and specifically the impact of plastic on the environment has formed the basis for these installations at Felixstowe beach, in Combs Wood, near Stowmarket, and on the school grounds at the Thurston Sixth, Beyton Campus.
On Felixstowe beach, Oliver positioned a series of pink binbags with the letters SOS (Save Our Seas) stencilled onto them.
In Combs Wood, he decorated and wrapped trees with plastic and stencilled the letters SOT (Save Our Trees) onto the plastic.
Finally, as a part of his end-of-year exhibition, Oliver recreated part of the Combs Wood installation on the school grounds, hanging bottles from trees and wrapping trees in plastic.
In his exhibition statement, he said: “This project represents the need for change and a new attitude towards plastic use.
“In a current disposable and single use society, plastic items are often seen as temporary, something that we buy and throw away in a matter of hours or days.
“I hope through undertaking these installations, I will play a part in changing people's perspective on plastic. I hope the out-of-place positioning of plastic in my installation pieces, will encourage passers by to stop and think and will lead to a reduction in the use of single use plastics.”
The exhibition, of which there was a private view on June 5 with families, staff and governors and local residents, contained some ‘fantastic’ work across all three subjects of art, textiles and photography, said photography teacher Victoria Spofforth.
Gemma Gibson, head of creative arts at Thurston Community College, said: “The range of work this year covers fine art, textiles and photography. There was strong diversity of practice, from painting, printmaking and concrete casting, to fashion and fine art textile pieces.
“Within the photography work both traditional darkroom and digital work has been created. One student also explored film and installation as part of their work.”
