Unfortunately, a lack of clean water is something which impacts the lives of people all over the world, causing a knock-on effect to basic necessities which many of us take for granted including good health and the ability to work and go to school. International non-profit organisation, Water For People has been working to provide improved water and sanitation systems to developing countries, joining forces with Absolut Elyx to supply safe water to over 100,000 people worldwide. Celebrating their five-year partnership, Water for People and Absolut Elyx have teamed up with London artist Phoebe Collings-James to create a series of three original works inspired by the charity. Named Everyone Forever, the paintings are available to purchase for £500 each, with 100% of the profits donated to Water for People. To showcase the new works and educate people on the charity, Phoebe hosted a celebratory dinner last night, attended by guests including Molly Goddard, Matthew Stone, Susie Lau, Ed Marler, Isamaya Ffrench, and Jackson Boxer. We had a chat with Phoebe to find out more about her work with the charity and the importance of access to clean water.
What’s your involvement been with the project?
I created artworks that will be sold, raising funds directly for the charity. Then we had an event to raise awareness and spread the word! The guests in all their different fields have reach by word of mouth, social media or their work so we wanted to get them involved.
Why was this cause in particular something that reached out to you?
I think that the work that the charity does really forms the foundation for all of ours lives. People need to be able to access clean water and sanitation, otherwise the knock on effects on people’s domestic and working lives is disastrous. And it affects women and children the most.
How did the project inspire the works you created?
I’m not sure that they link aesthetically, but I had in my mind the chapter on Art from the Black Panthers Speak. It explains that the posters are supposed to educate and inspire the people through direct imagery. So I was thinking about the main words and focus of the charity, hygiene – hand washing, infrastructure, information, sanitation.
What are some of the things people take for granted with having access to clean water?
Time and safety. One of the big focuses of the charity’s work is women and girls. In areas around the world where communities do not have proper sanitation and access to safe water, they may have to walk for up to 6 hours a day to find it. Which makes it impossible to be involved in other areas of the community. It also means the infant mortality rate is higher. And communities who might often lack access to medical care are most prone to disease.
From an artist’s perspective, why do you think creative projects like this are so beneficial to charities?
One of the first questions I asked when speaking to the charity was how can projects like the one we were about to embark on actually help? I was a bit sceptical as to how an event like this could help and was reassured to hear that projects like this were really making a difference, spreading the word on the importance of what they are doing as well as finding new investments.
What is the most important thing that you’d like people to hear about Water for People?
At a time when it feels like there is no hope, they are making a difference in huge numbers. When they say ‘everyone forever’ they mean it and are doing there best to make this work last by involving the government’s, local communities as well as private sector and donations to create infrastructure that can be maintained.
Credits
Text Lula Ososki
Photography Dean Martingale