Hawai'i has enlisted local artists to help fight climate change through the state's Climate Artists in Residence program. Four artists were selected from 65 applicants to incorporate climate action goals into their work. They’ll each receive $5,000, plus $2,000 for materials, to bring the state's Climate Action Pathways to life through art, as reported by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The task at hand is as clear as the Pacific waters—to not only create but also to co-develop with local communities. Each artist brings a unique perspective: Keisha Tanaka with her ʻōiwi photography, Benjamin Fairfield's music from recycled trash, Gillian Dueñas's Chamoru painting connecting her to her roots, and Erin Voss's designs that map out the dance between nature and neighborhoods. They were chosen specifically to help to encourage public engagement with CAP topics ranging from cultural knowledge to land stewardship and community resilience. These aren't just buzzwords, they're the pillars of what will hold up the islands in times of climate turmoil.
Leah Laramee, the State Climate Coordinator, expressed immense satisfaction with the creative response to the call for artists, emphasizing art's power to connect people to complex issues like climate change. The residents of Hawaiʻi are to witness how art can play a significant role in shaping their environment and future. This isn't about passing fancies; it’s about stamping a cultural footprint on serious policies to ensure they're not only heard but also felt.
Gillian Dueñas, one of the four chosen artists, shared her commitment with DLNR: "The secure future of Indigenous communities is my priority. Discussions about climate change can be very traumatizing and anxiety-inducing for our people, so I use art as a medicine and tool for instilling hope. I am thrilled to be working with native, Pasifika, local, county, and state organizations to continue doing this work." Her words echo the sentiment that underpins the entire program: Climate action can be to heal, not just as a plan to execute but as a culture to embrace.
From October 1-31, the Capitol Modern at the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum in Honolulu will showcase the works of these artists, blending art with sustainability. The exhibition, supported by the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program, aligns with CCMAC’s mission to promote climate-neutral and culturally responsive strategies for addressing climate change in Hawaiʻi.
