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 gives young people a chance to express their ideas and views, act on issues that affect their lives and celebrates the positive contributions young people make to their communities.
One of the project organisers, Eloise Amirtharajah, said, “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.
“Every 10 minutes Australians throw out 6000kg of fashion which contributes to landfill.”
Artist, Diokno Pasilan, mentored young people throughout the creation and installation.
“I enjoy working with young people. I become energised when surrounded by their conversations and creativity.”
Diokno is also passionate about working with community groups that support the idea of creating artworks by incorporating and repurposing discarded materials.
A Giant Clothes Swap with upcycling workshops and an Aboriginal Basket Weaving Workshop with Marjorie Pickford during NAIDOC Week will also provide opportunities for visitors to see and experience the installation.
