What is the role of an artist?

Artists think about the world around them

Community members walking through 'The Newspaper House' installation.

Artists play a unique role in society as they have the ability to engage an individual's interest, curiosity and attitude in a deep and personal way. By immersing themselves in culture, Artists comprehend the world around them and respond to it by sharing insightful ideas, critiques, and visions through their work. The art they create can influence our understanding of humanity and inspire us to reconsider our stance on whether the world needs to be modified. 

Evidently, when an artist's work is framed by environmental concerns, the social impact is expansive and insightful.This leads to a society of conscientious individuals who can better understand their effect on the environment.

In the case of  Sumer Erek's installation 'Newspaper House', community members could physically walk through a structure made entirely of the newspapers they left on streets, buses and trains. Erek capitalised on his potential as an artist to urge individuals to reconsider their actions, as the community members could physically interact with the artwork and interpret the heavy impact their litter has on the environment.