Art and Algae

Statement on how unsustainable art supplies are and how people are looking for alternatives… implant questionnaire here…

Art canvases

Art canvases are resulting in multiple environmental issues. From material production to dying and coating the final canvases, the strains on our environment and health are immense.

  • Producing canvas fabrics is energy-intensive because of the various machines used to produce them. High energy usage leads to elevated carbon emissions.

  • Canvas manufacturers can choose to dye their fabrics with synthetic dyes, which often require a lot of water to produce and contain heavy metals.

  • PVC is a fabric coat used for canvases. It is extremely difficult to recycle and its manufacturing and disposal releases toxic phthalates, which are associated with many health problems. Its production further releases mercury into the environment. Chlorine production which is used or PVC is one of the world’s most energy-intensive industrial processes.

  • Often chemical pesticides and fertilisers are used in cultivating canvas fabrics like cotton, hemp and linen, which leads to damage to the health of the soil, the water, and the ecosystem.

Paint and inks

Art paint and ink are resulting in multiple environmental and health issues. From material production to contamination when disposing of it. Artistic paints and inks can cause several risks and issues.

  • Acrylic polymer is a plastic that can be found in paint and ink.

  • Acrylic paint is composed of molecules that remain individual until the water evaporates. If we wash off our acrylic then we separate those molecules of acrylic so that they will not come back together. In this way, they remain a microplastic.

  • After a painting session, the artist washes their brushes in the sink but also pours the container of paint-filled water down the drain as well. When these substances enter our water systems, inks and paints can have damaging effects on aquatic life and can even make their way into our drinking water, posing potential health risks.

  • Water is used as a solvent in acrylic paint. It takes a lot of energy to pump and treat this water — energy that releases greenhouse gas emissions during its production. It takes 13 gallons of water to produce 1 gallon of paint.

  • Acrylic ink emits Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) during its usage. VOCs are chemicals that vaporize at room temperature and can have short- and long-term adverse health effects. This emission impacts your indoor air quality, especially in unventilated spaces.