The inaugural IKC3 Sustainable Art Award, a highlight of K-FEST 2023, has been won by the talented artist Emily Thompson. This award is a joint venture with the Ireland’s Knowledge Centre for Carbon, Climate and Community Action (IKC3) and is designed to acknowledge artists who integrate sustainability and climate consciousness into their creative work.
Emily’s remarkable transformation of wool—a natural ‘bio-based’ material often discarded in Ireland—into stunning woven pieces that reflect Irish landscapes, captivated the judges. Her innovative reuse of this local resource, coupled with a low energy, low environmental impact technique for processing this raw material, and experimentation with natural pigments and dyes, earned her the prestigious award.
IKC3, an educational institution focused on transitioning to a low carbon economy, is funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Human Capital Initiative (HCI) in partnership with Munster Technological University, Trinity College Dublin, and University College Dublin.
The IKC3 research project, which underpins this award, investigates the necessary skills society needs for transitioning towards a sustainable future, and recognizes the pivotal role of artists in inspiring and supporting citizens to adapt to these changes. The recipient of the award, selected by a panel of sustainability experts from the IKC3 Project and CircBio Research Group at MTU, receives a €500 grant.
For more about Emily Thompson’s work, visit: https://www.instagram.com/emilyathompson_artist/?hl=en
To learn more about the commendable work IKC3 is doing, visit: https://ikc3.ie/
