Abigail Fallis facts for kids
Abigail Fallis (born 1968) is a British artist famous for her sculptures. Her artwork often sends a message about modern life, especially about how much we buy and how this affects the environment. This is a topic known as consumerism.
Fallis uses her art to share her thoughts on the world in a funny and clever way. She wants her work to make people think about the impact of our shopping habits on the planet.
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Early Life and Training
Abigail Fallis was born in London, England. She went to the Camberwell College of Art, where she trained in silversmithing and working with metal. At first, she thought about becoming a blacksmith, a person who shapes iron with a hammer and fire. However, she decided to work with materials that were lighter and easier to shape.
Famous Sculptures and Big Ideas
Fallis became well-known for her unique and thought-provoking art. Her sculptures often use everyday objects to make a powerful statement.
Art That Makes You Think
One of her early artworks that got people talking was a pair of hand-stitched underpants featuring the Union Jack flag. This piece was a comment on the "Cool Britannia" trend in the United Kingdom during the 1990s.
In 2009, Fallis created a huge public sculpture in Newcastle, England, called DNA DL90. This artwork is a 9-meter-high (30 ft) tall double helix shape, just like the structure of DNA. But instead of being made of molecules, it's made entirely of shopping trolleys.
The sculpture is a comment on our modern culture of shopping. It suggests that buying things has become a part of our very identity, like our DNA. The grand opening of the sculpture was even attended by James Watson. He was one of the scientists who discovered the real structure of DNA back in 1953.
Art for the Environment
Fallis is very concerned about environmental issues like overfishing, which is when too many fish are caught from the sea. She explored this topic in an exhibition called "Fallis in Wonderland".
One writer said her work combines "wit, beauty and protest." He explained that her art is playful and fun, but it also carries a serious message about how we are living in a way that our planet cannot support for long.
Fallis has also been part of a project called "Ghosts of Gone Birds." This project helps raise money and awareness for BirdLife International, an organization working to save bird species from disappearing forever.
Her Artistic Style
Abigail Fallis uses many different materials for her sculptures, including bronze, paper, and felt. Her work is owned by many collectors and museums.
She once said, "I'm a maker, I use my sculpture as a thinking tool. I'm naturally inquisitive and quite sceptical about the way information is relayed to consumers by the media. It is this that fires my imagination and inspires me to make."
This means she loves to ask questions and doesn't always believe what she sees in advertisements or the news. This curiosity is what drives her to create her art.
