Art of Change

About

From a bright watercolour showing the power of water by Jane Seymour OBE, to a fabric-framed picture depicting Mother Nature by Dame Zandra Rhodes, and a dark oil and spray paint piece by The Cure's Robert Smith, the unique collection, called Art of Change, is on show at London's Saatchi Gallery from Thursday 28 September to Sunday 1 October. Its aim is to help turn the tide on climate change.  

The climate crisis is a water crisis – and the 11 artworks are raising awareness that one in ten people don’t have clean water close to home and climate change is making this worse. Longer and more severe droughts mean wells and springs run dry whilst more frequent and extreme flooding pollutes water sources. A reliable source of clean water that keeps flowing whatever the weather helps people living on the frontlines of climate change to adapt and build a better future. 

All proceeds from the auction will help WaterAid deliver water, sanitation and hygiene essentials, so more people can stay strong against climate change, and transform their health, education and livelihoods.  

Comedian and artist Jim Moir created a watercolour piece entitled ‘Well in Desert’. He said:   

“From making our morning cuppas to cleaning paint pots and having a nice soak in the tub, it’s easy to take water for granted. But millions of people around the world don’t have clean water at the turn of a tap, and climate change is making the situation worse.” 

Director and WaterAid Ambassador Amanda Mealing created a triptych entitled Family, Fire and Flo. She said: 

“I chose to focus on family because water is central to a healthy family life. I also included a photo of a lady called Mary who I met in Ghana, and who had given birth in a health facility with no clean water or toilets. Thanks to WaterAid, women in her community no longer have to risk their health and dignity in this way, but millions globally still do not have clean water, and the climate crisis is making it worse. Clean water is vital for the health of our children and generations to come, whatever the future holds.” 

Gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh painted a piece on canvas called Water = Growth, featuring a tap watering a plant. He said: 

“Water unites us all – plants, animals, and humans – giving us life and offering growth and opportunity. However, the climate crisis is putting our natural world and access to water under threat. I’m delighted to be part of WaterAid’s Art of Change exhibition and have painted a piece entitled Water = Growth to highlight the power of water, which is vital in building resilience to the effects of climate change.”  

Actor, author and artist Jane Seymour created a watercolour called ‘Cosmic Wave’. She said: 

“Water shows its universal force in nature and in human life with the changing climate, producing more powerful and frequent storms and floods, resulting in the global movement of millions of people. However, water also holds enormous power to heal and change lives for the better. It helps children stay in school, enables women to earn a living; it helps medical staff safely treat patients; and it helps whole communities have healthy and prosperous lives.” 

The full list of artists involved is Alan Titchmarsh, Amanda Mealing, Ben Eine, Duncan Jago, Jane Seymour, Jim Moir, Pure Evil, Robert Smith, Rosannagh Scarlet Esson, Sophie Tea and Dame Zandra Rhodes.  

Tim Wainwright, WaterAid Chief Executive, said:  

“WaterAid is delighted to be partnering with the British Art Fair for the second year in a row, and we’re grateful to all the amazing artists for bringing the Art of Change exhibition to life. These unique pieces of art highlight the devastating impact climate change is having on communities around the world. The climate crisis is a water crisis – we're seeing floods, droughts and extreme weather becoming more common and Our Climate Fight is well underway. With a sustainable supply of clean water and decent toilets, people can stay healthy, go to work or school, and take control of their futures, whatever tomorrow brings.” 

The online auction opens at 12pm on Thursday 28 September and closes at 5pm on Sunday 1 October 2023.  Art lovers can find out more about Art of Change, WaterAid’s climate campaign and how to make a bid at wateraid.org/artofchange.