A YOUNG East Lancashire artist has destroyed painting he spent months creating and all in front of a live audience – but it was all for a good cause.
James Carter threw four pieces of artwork into a woodchipper in Nelson Town Centre on Saturday, May 14, as dozens of people watched on.
James, 19, organised the performative art display as part of his Nelson and Colne College ‘Re-imagine’ project but also to raise awareness for an environmental charity.
He is now auctioning off digitised versions of the oil paintings in order to raise money for Team Trees.
James, who lives in Nelson, spent around four months painting them and said it was “heart breaking” to have them destroyed.
Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, he said: “The day went so perfectly, I couldn’t have asked for better weather and I also got to draw in a rather large crowd of around 50 people.
“It was heart breaking to destroy my artwork but it is all for a good cause. However, the crowd weren’t quite as upset as they all cheered when I threw them into the woodchipper.
“The audience really liked the idea of it all. We spoke to a couple of people afterwards and they really did like the concept, how it was all done and laid out.”
The shredded remains of the four paintings will now be put into epoxy resin in order to create an entirely new piece of artwork.
The paintings themselves are recreations of an old photograph, which depict a canal running through Nelson and Colne.
The different paintings show the evolution of time and its effects on the canal - before cultivation, during the industrial revolution and a future filled with plastic, waste and pollution.
He is now auctioning off each of the paintings as Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are digitial versions of the original pieces of artwork.
The new owner will also get a video of the entire thing being painted and destroyed.
As part of the project, James has also written a book called ‘Time To Make The Change’ which teaches individuals about how they can make a large impact to help the environment without relying on large companies or corporations.
To place a bid on a painting, visit James’ OpenSea website: www.opensea.io/JamesCarter_Art
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