My husband, Peter, and I, have the privilege and blessing of indulging in long, daily walks on Salcete’s wondrous beaches. However, binning slippers, plastic bottles and bits of fishing net and rope along Zalor Beach the other day, I was deeply distressed to find a dead sea turtle washed up on the sand. That made two dead turtles in the space of a month! It reminded me starkly of Mombasa, Kenya.
Turtles are an endangered species. The consequences of them getting entangled in fishing nets, eating plastic bags or colourful flip flops because they mistake them for fish, led to me writing and illustrating ‘Flip and Flop’s Colouring Story’, a heartwarming, motivational activity book for children on the consequences of littering.
The book was met with such enthusiasm in various countries from Africa to Europe, that I developed its very own game. The board game ‘Trash Me’ has a positive impact on kids and environment. It encourages entrepreneurial mind sets and develops ‘Real World' skills while learning about conservation and the impact of marine pollution on surrounding fishing communities.
We all know that when children learn about important issues in a fun and engaging way, they carry that knowledge with pride and vigour. Their actions thereafter leave a huge impact on inner circles of family, friends and community. Do get in touch should you wish to procure the book &/or game, or peruse the list of other Forest Singer offerings.
Both Kenya and India face the gargantuan problem of littering. Before Kenya banned single use plastic bags, I found a way to make yarn from them and crocheted beautiful, soft moccasins that were used by kids who otherwise walked barefoot to school. I collected and made engaging sock puppets for my school workshops too. There is so much one can do!
Not enough awareness has been raised on the subject of littering. People lack the knowledge, and sometimes, even the means, to dispose of their rubbish. While, no doubt, there are a few bins in public places in Goa, they are not emptied often enough. Filled to overflowing, they stand amidst mountains of litter for stray dogs to carry even further afield.
Peter and I are multi-faceted artists. As such, we were commissioned to make a 3x5 metre led lit logo out of used plastic bottles for AESL, Africa's first firm to convert plastic waste to synthetic fuel oil.
Last year in Austria, we were invited by a gallery to hold an exhibition of our mixed media art. Our life-sized ‘Plasticated Love In Bloom Tree’ caused quite a stir because I fashioned plastic bottles to pass for Murano glass flowers.
Rubbish CAN and should be monetised, all one needs is passion and creativity!
Peter and I take on commissioned projects tailored to both corporate and individual needs and are more than artists, co-creating with clients on a journey to shape the unformed, bring life to the lifeless, and make the unloved loved once again!
Coupling music and art to shows, we shall be travelling with an army of instruments and original songs laid amid a landscape of eye-popping 3D collages, phantasmagorical plasticated sculptures lit up in kaleidoscopic lights, and give live, Heart Code to canvas offerings. So do reach out if you are planning something unique anywhere in the world. We'll bring the magic!
I am extremely proud to be a Goan. I feel I have much to offer the country of my ancestral roots in return for the privilege of living here. We hope you will support us in our new venture by spreading the word.
The writer is a singer, composer, multiinstrumentalist, eco-activist & author & can be contacted on [email protected]
