Ghanaian fashion designer Beatrice Bee Arthur is using her creative voice to bring attention to one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time: plastic pollution and its impact on marine life. Her latest exhibition, titled ‘Plastic Presence of a Fluorescent Future,’ showcases the devastating effects of plastic waste on our oceans and marine ecosystems.
Using a mix of nylon fishing nets, plastic bottles, discarded plastics, and other waste materials, Arthur’s installation at the Mother Earth Festival 2024 in the Aburi Botanical Gardens paints a vivid picture of the harm caused by human activity and plastic pollution. Mannequins adorned with plastic waste serve as a powerful reminder of the overwhelming presence of debris in our oceans and daily lives.
Despite the grim representation of our current plastic-filled reality, Arthur also offers a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. By juxtaposing black nylon fishing nets with imagery of innovation and sustainable solutions, she challenges viewers to consider more eco-friendly alternatives and waste management practices.
The expo not only showcases Arthur’s artistic expression through fashion but also sparks essential conversations about consumer habits, corporate responsibility, and conservation efforts. It serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and policymakers to take immediate steps towards preserving our marine ecosystems for future generations.
The ‘Plastic Present/Fluorescent Future’ expo runs until today, 28th April 2024, as part of the Mother Earth Festival organized by Green Butterfly Market and supported by Chaint Afrique/NetCycle & Creation Africa Ghana. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the installation, discuss the issues raised, and explore actionable steps towards a sustainable future.
