Promoting environmental conservation through visual arts.
Abstract
The study investigated how visual arts can play a role in promoting environmental conservation
through addressing the problem of waste item/material disposal. A case study of Wandegeya
trading Centre, Kampala Uganda. The purpose of the study was to find out how visual arts can
be used to promote environmental conservation.
The study was based on the following objectives; the main objective was to investigate how
visual arts can be used as an attempt to solve the problem of waste disposal in Wandegeya
trading centre. The other objectives of the study was; documenting some of the artists who have
tried to use art to address the challenge of waste disposal , describing the way how waste
materials can be used to create visual art pieces in promotion of environmental conservation as
well as assessing the effects of improper waste disposal on the environment.
In this study the researcher used two designs that is; qualitative and quantitative research
designs; with quantitative, as a researcher, in the process of carrying out study I analyzed some
results obtained from the area of study (Wandegeya trading center) for example number of
people interviewed, percentages and others in form of tables and graphs. Also with qualitative
research, the researcher used the research questions and applies reasoning in order to generate
the information in form of words from the area of study. The researcher also aimed at getting the
ideas, people’s feelings and describing the situation in Wandegeya trading Centre.
The target population; the study focused on the people dealing in agricultural products in
Wandegeya market, people working in supermarkets, hardware, kiosks and small scale business
men and women working in Katanga and kikumi-kikumi. A minimum number of 45 male and
female was used to provide information. The data collection techniques used include;
questionnaires, survey, interviews, focus group and observation.
The findings of the study: The findings of the study indicate that using waste material/ items as
a raw material by the visual artists can improve on waste material management in our
environment (Wandegeya trading Centre).It was also found out that making of paintings by
Visual Artists with images depicting how waste materials can be managed and environmental
conservation practices can also reduce on the improper waste disposal. The findings of the
research indicate that Through initiating projects by the government which facilitates graphic
designers in designing visual images /information which illustrate how waste items/materials can
be managed, improper waste disposal can be solved.
The findings of the study also indicate that through promoting awareness about the relevance of
waste items in industrial and fine art field, improper waste disposal can be reduced. It was found
out that there is a need by the government to support the Artists by providing them with funds to
carry out the environmental conservation art projects (ECAP). It was also found out that
workshops and seminars should be carried out to sensitize the Artists on how to promote the
environmental conservation through visual arts can be implemented.
The findings of the research indicate that most of the participants opted for waste broken glasses
and bottle lids/ caps as a raw material for making art works. The study revealed that all the
participants had knowledge on various waste materials which can be used to create art works.
The study also revealed that the biggest percentage of the respondents had knowledge on how
waste materials can be used to create visual art pieces / art works. The findings of the study show
that the biggest percentage did not have knowledge about the artists who tried to use their art to
solve the problem of waste disposal. The findings of the study also indicates that there are high
chances of causing global warming and soil infertility due to increased rate of improper waste
disposal in the environment.
Recommendations of the study: As a researcher, I acquiesce that the following are important
in order to stop/ reduce on the improper waste disposal in the environment (Wandegeya trading
Centre) and promote environmental conservation:
Construction of numerous dumping sites in various parts of the environment (wandegeya trading
Centre) as this will make it easy for Artists to collect these waste materials and use them as raw
materials in making art works. Continuous sensitization of the public through radios , televisions
and newspapers about the effects of improper waste disposal which will make every one aware
of the dangers of these waste items to the environment.
Provision of funds to the artists / graphic designers to make awareness to the public through
designing billboards , paintings, sign posts among others which portrays information
discouraging people from practicing poor waste management and illustrating the correct way of
managing these waste materials. On addition to this, the Artists can also make illustrations which
discourage people from practicing other environmental degradation practices such as
deforestation, swamp reclamation among others. Installation of dustbins in various areas such as
markets, shopping malls, arcades, alongside roads among others for better aggregation of these
waste items.
Conclusion of the study: In synopsis, basing on the findings of the study, it is revealed that
through visual arts, waste items can regain its value and earns money to the Artists as well as the
traders / other people in the community. It was also revealed that through using these waste items
in creating art works it minimizes on the dangerous landfills in our environment. Therefore,
Wandegeya trading Centre authorities should implement rules and regulations to traders on how
to reduce on waste items that is, communication and awareness should be regularly done to
inform the traders about the proper means of waste management and the relevance of these waste
materials in the field of industrial and fine art.