How are artists affected by the world around them?

Artists are greatly affected by the world around them, as the events and issues present in society are significant influences of their artmaking. Without their surroundings, artworks would have little inspiration for making art. 

Erek's installation 'Newspaper House' clearly reveals the vast impact of the world on him. The increasing presence of litter on London streets inspired him to find a new purpose for tossed newspapers. In creating a house out of this waste material, Erek was able to make a powerful statement about the importance of environmental conservation. The extensive influence of the world around him is evident in this artwork, as the growing social disregard for the environment was a conceptual catalyst for his art making practice. 

The surrounding world had such a potent impact on Erek that it motivated him to reduce waste in local areas and raise awareness of our environment in a creative way. This allowed him to inform community members of environmental issues in both figurative and literal ways, forcing them too to acknowledge how they are affected by the world around them. Like the work of many artists, Erek's installation aimed to change the way individuals interact with the world around them, as he hoped they would better appreciate the value of caring for the environment as a result of his art.