An Artist’s Vision of Environmental and Economic Sustainabili ...

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Abstract

Environmental artist John Dahlsen’s work explores how creating synergistic opportunities in globalized economic times can create breakthrough resolutions for artists whose art creates positive shifts for future environmental transformation. Dahlsen’s vision aids art professionals with new opportunities, perceptions and suggested synergies, as marginalized artists experience potential compromise in their careers with events like the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), resulting in unemployment, cessation of career activities, or at best new career paths in associated fields. An art form most significantly interrupted by the GFC, was the Indigenous art of Australia, which had seen a dream run in exhibition and auction sales since the boom in the 1980s. These boom years came crashing to an all-time low during 2007–2008 with the advent of the Global Financial Crisis. In the case of the Indigenous art movement, it was revealed that the unfettered blurring of the lines between fine art and craft is not only unnecessary but needing reassessment. A redefinition as a result of the GFC and an introduction of clear delineation will assist in re-asserting integrity across the board within this art movement. Collaborations can potentially engender unprecedented industry support, and encourage artists to adapt positively to uncertain economic times. Progress through diversification provides opportunity for economic viability for artists, leading to a reduction of economic stress for them, who in socially unjustifiable ways may otherwise compromise creativity to survive. Providing insight through new research and education will fill gaps in this knowledge. For our cultural future to be guided by artists whose creativity is centered on environmental aesthetics, they need freeing up from financial constrictions to work effectively, all requiring significant shifts in consciousness. Progress requires perceptual shifts, beginning with the artists involved in implementing their vision. Industry and social backing will support these artists’ creative vision and environmental awareness aesthetic, whose art will help shape future evolution and environmental transformation.