What can art do about climate change that science, facts, and frightening headlines can’t?
That question has driven curator Alice Sharp for more than fifteen years. As Artistic Director of Invisible Dust, she brings leading artists and scientists together to create something neither could have arrived at alone.
Her latest project, Climate Clock, created for Oulu’s year as European Capital of Culture in Finland, brings together seven permanent public artworks exploring climate change through our relationship with nature and time. Each artist was paired with a scientist, with Alice creating the conditions for those conversations to become something genuinely new.
One of those artists is Rana Begum, whose collaboration with glaciologist Alan Hubbard transformed footage of glaciers breaking apart into a monumental work made from locally sourced stone, evoking both the weight and fragility of ice.
In this conversation, Alice talks about trust, risk, fundraising, scientists, communities and the invisible infrastructure behind ambitious public art. Rana takes us inside the artist’s process: what happens when new knowledge enters your imagination, how work changes as it meets a place, and why the best collaborations leave room for surprise.
And we ask: if information alone isn’t changing our behaviour, can artists help us feel our way towards a different future?
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Art can help us imagine climate futures in ways that facts and science alone cannot. Bringing artists and scientists together creates space for new perspectives, questions, thought provoking work and unexpected outcomes.
Art doesn’t have to turn climate science into a neat lesson. It can hold beauty and fear together, creating a pause where people can feel, notice and ask questions.
Public art doesn’t need to be removed from everyday life to have impact — placing challenging work where people encounter it unexpectedly can start conversations and change how communities see themselves.
Artists help shape the futures we can imagine.
BEST MOMENTS
“Who can imagine the future? It’s artists because you know it’s impossible to do anything about the future without imagining.”
“If you can bring in a new perspective that someone hasn’t heard before, I think you’re going to have people more interested in future thinking.”
“Rather than becoming paralysed by the scale of what is happening, ask what agency we have through the choices we make, the relationships we build and the work we put into the world.”
EPISODE RESOURCES
https://www.ranabegum.com/
https://invisibledust.com/
https://www.instagram.com/invisible_dust
https://www.instagram.com/ranabegumstudio
HOST BIO
With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She has sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.
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Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive.
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Book a Discovery Call
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This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
