Art Installation creates awareness of environmental impacts of fashion waste

Ballarat Youth have engaged local artist Diokno Pasilan to help create an Art Installation made from fabric waste. 

The Fabric Forest, on display in the Ballarat Mining Exchange, is an initiative for 2021 Victorian Youth Week funded by the Victorian Government and City of Ballarat and supported by the Ballarat Youth Services Team. 

Victorian Youth Week is a week-long celebration of young people (aged 12–25).  It gives young people a chance to express their ideas and views, and act on issues that affect their lives. It's also lots of fun and celebrates the positive contributions young people make to their communities.

 “Our aim is to visually demonstrate how textile waste has impacted our environment, and to empower people with the knowledge and skills to overcome the problems of overconsumption and textile waste,” one of the project organisers, Eloise Amirtharajah said. 

“This is an issue that we as a global community created together, but we can also provide the solution when we work together.

“Every 10 minutes Australians throw out 6000kg of fashion which contributes to landfill," she said.

Acclaimed artist Diokno Pasilan who has mentored  young people throughout the creation and installation is pleased with the result.

 “I enjoy working with young people.  I become energised when surrounded by their conversations and creativity,” Diokno said.

Diokno is also passionate about working with community groups that support the idea of creating artworks by incorporating and repurposing discarded materials.

The Fabric Forest Art Installation created for the school holidays is open Friday, 2 July 3-6pm; Monday, 5 July 2-5pm and Wednesday, 7 July 11am-2pm. 

A Giant Clothes Swap with upcycling workshops on 6 July from 11an-3pm and an Aboriginal Basket Weaving Workshop with Marjorie Pickford during NAIDOC Week on 8 July from 1pm-4pm will also provide opportunities for visitors to see and experience the installation.