World Environment Day (WED) 2024, celebrated globally, served as a prime opportunity to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote protective measures. Established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1972, WED has evolved into a global platform for addressing pressing environmental challenges. This year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the 2024 Environment Day celebration, focusing on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. This year’s theme, “Our Land, Our Future, We Are Generation Restoration,” revolved around land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience, emphasizing the importance of these issues in achieving sustainable development. Land restoration is a critical component of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a global initiative aimed at protecting and reviving ecosystems worldwide. Achieving this is essential for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To bring the theme to life, this year’s World Environment Day celebration by Art4you Gallery featured Sustainable Live Art and Planting initiatives. These activities aimed to merge artistic expression with practical environmental action, providing a holistic approach to raising awareness and driving change. Artists from around the world were invited to participate in the Artists Message Campaign, using their creativity to highlight environmental issues and inspire change.
One of the standout features of the Sustainable Live Art initiative was the creation of miniature wooden blocks, each painted with themes of nature and environmental conservation. These wooden blocks, crafted by artists from diverse backgrounds, symbolized the resilience and beauty of nature while highlighting the urgent need for conservation. Artists were encouraged to develop these miniature wooden block pieces that reflected the theme of environmental conservation and sustainability. Each block depicted scenes of natural landscapes, flora, fauna, and elements symbolizing restoration and resilience. They posted their artwork on social media using the hashtags #GreenMessage and #WorldEnvironmentDay, along with a video message about their inspiration and its environmental significance. This digital sharing expanded the reach of their messages, engaging a global audience. Led by sustainability advocate and Art Curator Ms. Jesno Jackson, artists amplified the Green Message, and created a collaborative mosaic of wooden blocks represented unity in diversity and the collective effort required for environmental restoration. Artists also participated in designing to engage the community and encourage public participation in both artistic and environmental actions.
These wooden miniature artworks symbolized our deep connection with nature and highlights the importance of sustainable practices. By choosing a wooden block as the canvas, were repurposing a natural material that is both durable and eco-friendly. The miniature scale of the painting emphasizes the beauty and intricacy of nature, encouraged viewers to appreciate the small wonders that often go unnoticed in our fast-paced lives. The theme of nature in this painting serves as a reminder of the delicate balance we must maintain to protect our environment. Each brushstroke is a testament to the harmony we seek between artistic expression and environmental consciousness. By utilizing sustainable materials and techniques, this piece demonstrates that art can be both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally responsible. Through this wooden block miniature painting, we aimed to inspire others to incorporate eco-conscious practices into their creative processes. Let these artworks be a call to action, urging us all to work towards a greener and more sustainable future.
In addition to the artistic campaign, planting initiatives played a pivotal role in this year’s celebrations. Led by environmental advocate Ms. Jesno Jackson and Sustainability Lead Bhumika Maniyar, these initiatives focused on organizing tree-planting activities with the art community in collaboration with ‘The Green Revolution DXB,’ aimed at restoring and enhancing biodiversity. These events brought together artists, volunteers, and community members to plant trees in degraded areas, symbolizing growth and renewal. Ms. Bhumika provided information on the benefits of planting trees and how they contribute to combating climate change and desertification. The planting ceremony at Paper Fig, Sharjah, exemplified the collective effort towards environmental sustainability, supported by the Founder Nawal AlNuami. Our Guest of Honor Lara Tabet, inaugurated the Planting Ceremony, also discussed the importance of sustainable practices and how art can inspire environmental action. This event brought together artists, environmentalists, and community members to plant trees and showcase the wooden block artworks. The ceremony included displaying the miniature wooden blocks of nature, each piece telling a unique story of environmental conservation and restoration. There were also hands-on tree planting activities, where participants planted various indigenous trees, contributing to the restoration of local biodiversity.
As the host of World Environment Day 2024, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is taking a leadership role in promoting land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. The country’s commitment to these issues is showcased through various initiatives and projects aimed at restoring degraded lands and promoting sustainable practices. World Environment Day 2024 was a call to action for individuals, communities, and nations to embrace sustainable practices and address environmental challenges. Artists successfully joined hands for the green message, and participated in planting activities to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. The participants included Vasilisa Eliseeva, Manjari Vybhava, Aliyeh Mohammad, Shakiba Rabiei, Jesno Jackson, Maria Komal Abie, Maniyar Bhumika, Neethu George, Fatima Ghandour, Alia Amin Abdulkarim, Kiara Kaur, Nafisa Haroon, and Ashwini Gawade. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that “Our Land, Our Future, We Are Generation Restoration” is not just a theme, but a reality.
