Artivism in Action: Public Forum to Explore the Power of Environmental Art in Driving Change
How can art spark climate action? An in-person public knowledge-sharing forum in Kuala Lumpur will bring together environmental artists, activists, civil society, and researchers to explore how creative expression can inspire change - at the policy, institutional, community, household, and personal levels.
The forum, called “Artivism: Imagining Futures of the Anthropocene”, takes place on 14th May 2025 at 2:00 PM and is part of an ongoing research project investigating the influence of environmental art and activism — or ‘artivism’ — in shaping public attitudes and policy decisions around climate change.
This project explores the power of art as a form of environmental communication, education, and resistance; through the strategies of Southeast Asian artivists, the research seeks to identify broader transferable lessons internationally as the world enters into unprecedentedly climate-hostile politics.
Interdisciplinary impact
Hosted by a team of interdisciplinary researchers (University of York, London School of Economics, University Malaya) and local artist Jakob van Klang, and supported by the British Council Malaysia, the event will feature insights sharing from leading artivists in Malaysia, followed by lively questions and answers from participants - many of whom would have engaged in a two-day knowledge-exchange workshop on how environmental artists, activists, and researchers can work better together to drive positive change.
Dr Felicia Liu, University of York said: “This project is inspired by Malaysia’s burgeoning art-activism—or ‘artivism’—scene. We believe art is a powerful tool to communicate, educate, and empower grassroots imagination of what a fairer, more sustainable future could look like—and to inspire action. This forum brings together key voices to explore these creative strategies and push the boundaries of how change is made.”
Critical timing
“We are in a critical moment. As authoritarian forces tighten their grip on speech and dissent, this project becomes a call to action. Artivism: Imagining Futures of Anthropocene ignites dialogue between artists and scholars to confront the climate emergency and defend our shrinking spaces for truth and expression.” - Jakob van Klang
“Malaysia, and Southeast Asia more broadly, has a vibrant activism and art scene - understanding how both these worlds collide through artivism is fascinating from an academic perspective” - Associate Professor Dr Helena Varkkey, University Malaya
Connecting people
“The impacts of environmental degradation affect us all. Scientists work hard to identify the causes of environmental problems and potential solutions, but this science is often obscured by politics and vested interests when it comes to environmental policy making. Art speaks directly to the people and this workshop will explore how we can build more bridges between science and artists.” - Associate Professor Dr Thomas Smith, London School of Economics and Political Science
This forum is open to the public and particularly relevant for artists working with environmental themes, civil society organisations, and media professionals reporting on environmental and climate issues. Registration is free and open via Eventbrite.
Notes to editors:
Registration to the fourm is free and open via Eventbrite.