In a groundbreaking collaboration, the British Council and The Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF) have launched “Using Comic Art to Save the Planet.” This initiative is part of the British Council’s Creative Commissions, a segment of the Culture Responds Global Programme dedicated to fostering creative responses to the climate emergency.
The Creative Commissions platform serves as a nexus for artists, scientists, and digital innovators globally, uniting them to craft creative solutions to the urgent climate crisis. The goal is to spark worldwide conversations and inspire transformative change.
The immersive exhibition, now open in the UAE, showcases the perspectives of twelve esteemed artists from Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. The roster includes Mehdi Annasi, Tracy Chahwan, Zeinab Fasiki, Noha Habaieb, Bernard Hage (Art of Boo), Mai Koraiem, Lena Merhej, Fouad Mezher, Seif Eddine Nechi, Mo Salah, Shennawy, and Selim Zerru. Each artist has been commissioned to craft compelling narratives addressing climate crises in their unique contexts, offering diverse lenses through which to view global challenges.
This global initiative not only expands its reach through the UAE exhibition but also plans to culminate in a printed publication and a digital representation on the website 10yearstosavetheworld.com. The project leverages the power of storytelling, uniting artists and professionals to convey the urgent need for change.
As visitors explore the exhibition and engage with the comics, the emphasis is on reflecting on the impact of individual actions and recognizing the transformative potential of collective change. The climate crisis, a formidable challenge, finds a universal language in art, enabling the amplification of the message and collective efforts toward a sustainable future.
The celebration of Arab comic art’s creativity and innovation takes centre stage, woven seamlessly with advocacy for the planet we call home. This collaborative effort aims to turn ink into action, inviting everyone to join in the global movement for a more sustainable and resilient future.