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Petra Groen
Enschede artist Petra Groen focuses on public art, sculpture, and mixed media. She runs an Artist in Residency program in Enschede. A strong proponent of the transformational power of visual art, Groen has worked for decades as a sculptor in the public arts and also holds an academic position at the University of the Arts in Enschede. In recent years, she has created a large amount of art focusing on the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. A sustainability project at Enschede's University of Twenthe, which involves researching solutions for re-using and storing electricity, inspired her 2022 analogue collage (at right), titled "Connecting the Dots," for the Neighbors Abroad Art & Sustainability initiative. She used magazine clippings in a reassembled fashion to create a new, inspiring image and narratives. |
"Connecting the Dots," by Enschede artist Petra Groen
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Groen says: "From an increasing awareness that everything is interdependent instead of independent, I created this artwork. We come to realize that we are part of a natural evolutionary process by reflecting on the eternal the law of cause and effect. We can be the creators or the destructors through our own or collective actions. If we surrender, instead of being in resistance with nature, we might be able to find solutions that will benefit not only us, the human species, but all life on Earth. Once we realize that we are part of an ‘interconnected whole,’ we will be more responsible in our actions towards ‘the other.’ It’s like connecting the dots to find solutions, to create new ways that are environment friendly and sustainable. This continuous movement enables transformation and change.
This art work addresses the need for change that is fueled by political and environmental reasons to move away from the use of high carbon-emitting fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro. The world of energy is changing rapidly and will continue to do so in the future. With this artwork, I want to bring awareness to the fact that we should find solutions in collaboration with the Earth instead of using the Earth only for resources. My wish is that new doors shall open, big or small, that will contribute to solve the urgent issues we face today."
Affiliated sustainability program: Coming soon!
This art work addresses the need for change that is fueled by political and environmental reasons to move away from the use of high carbon-emitting fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro. The world of energy is changing rapidly and will continue to do so in the future. With this artwork, I want to bring awareness to the fact that we should find solutions in collaboration with the Earth instead of using the Earth only for resources. My wish is that new doors shall open, big or small, that will contribute to solve the urgent issues we face today."
Affiliated sustainability program: Coming soon!