Spotlight on YAFies: Karen Pow

Karen Pow
Commissioned artist with Beyond Environmental Arts Festival (BEA Festival)

Which areas of art creation do you specialise in? 
Mosaic, sculpture and faux finishing, like marbling, wood graining and gilding.

How did you become an artist?
After graduating, I worked on all kinds of art projects, collaborating with different people, learning a variety of techniques, and experimenting with different types of art mediums. These experiences helped improve my artistic skills and open my eyes to new ideas. I still really enjoy working on creative arts projects.

You often use recycled materials in your work. What made you choose this medium?
Each recycled object has its own unique texture and shape. If you use these innate physical characteristics to create artwork it can produce interesting and unexpected outcomes, plus, the finished product conveys a powerful message about upcycling and waste reduction.

What’s the biggest challenge of making art with recycled materials?
The biggest challenge is collecting a large enough amount of different types of materials in a short amount of time. It involves simultaneously reaching out to lots of environmental recycling centres and shops in different districts. Another challenge is assembling the materials. We have a lot of different electronic tools and equipment in our studio for this. The process is tough but also fun.

What message do you hope the public will take away from the animal relief murals you created for the BEA Festival?
I hope the relief murals remind people that the earth doesn’t only belong to human beings – it also belongs to all living creatures. If we sacrifice the other living creatures that inhabit our planet, we will also end up suffering the consequences.

What do you do to protect the environment in your everyday life?
There is a printing company next to my studio that throws away a lot of waterproof paper wrappings and cardboard boxes. I always collect them and give them a second life.

If you were an animal, which animal would you be?
I’d be an eagle because they’re so brave. Even in strong storms, they fly into the sky against the wind, meeting the challenge fearlessly. 

What advice would you give to young people who are passionate about visual arts? 
Keep creating art, and never stop observing your surroundings and learning new techniques.

​Which environmentalist do you admire the most and why?
All those who protect the environment every day.