‘Plastic Fish’, Evelyn Anca
Co-director of Plastic Free Israel, Evelyn Anca’s plastic fish is made from the pieces collected during a community with the village youth on the Papua New Guinean island of Kiriwina.
The idea was raise awareness in the community and spark a conversation about the huge the plastic problem in small islands such as Kiriwina.
“In many developing countries plastic pollution is out of control – there are no facilities or proper infrastructure for waste management and also a lack of awareness. Like many islands nations around the world, in Kiriwina, people rely mostly on fish for their nutrition. However, plastic waste is piled up in villages, beaches and the sea floor, polluting the water and marine life which they rely on.
“I had the privilege to spend time with the people of Kiriwina island, learn about their culture and their way of living and the serious health, social and environmental issues they are experiencing as a result of the fast developing world and the introduction of materials such as plastic.
“Our “Plastic Fish” artwork spoke to the people because fish are so important in their nutrition and culture – I hope, it started a change.
“The problem is far from being solved and together with community conservation and awareness projects, a worldwide solution for plastic pollution must take place in order to prevent further impact on the environment, oceans, wildlife and many communities around the world that rely on the oceans for their living.
About Evelyn Anca
Environmental activist, passionate beachcomber, animal lover, and multidisciplinary artist, Evi shares her desire for all people to protect the environment through art using various mediums such as drawings, photography, and sculpting with trash. I’ve been co-directing Plastic Free Israel for over 3 years now, an NGO dedicated to raising awareness about plastic pollution through social media, education, and beach cleanups. She is a 29-year-old vegan from Rehovot, Israel. Evi studied Psychology at the Open University of Israel and is continuing her MSc in Primate Conservation at Oxford Brookes University.