I recently fell in love with Eva Hesse’s work. She was a trailblazer in using unconventional materials like latex, fiberglass, and plastics in sculpture. This contrasted with the dominant Minimalist movement that was happening during her time. Hesse’s work moved away from using the industrial materials in a cold and calculated way. Her work brought a sense of process, vulnerability, and organic form to sculpture.

After watching Eva Hesse’s documentary I saw how her materials in her sculptures began to break down. Her beautiful work was falling apart. Here are some reasons why using sustainable art supplies can be important for the longevity of your artwork: I plan on using paint and materials that will last.

Material Breakdown: Traditional art supplies often contain harsh chemicals or materials that can break down over time. For example, some paints can yellow or become brittle, while papers made with low-quality wood pulp can become acidic and cause the artwork to deteriorate. Sustainable art supplies, on the other hand, are often made with natural materials or recycled content that are less likely to degrade as quickly. This means your artwork is more likely to stay vibrant and well-preserved for future generations.
Avoiding Lightfastness Issues: Lightfastness refers to a pigment's ability to resist fading over time when exposed to light. Some traditional pigments, especially cheaper ones, are not very lightfast and can fade significantly over the years. Sustainable art supplies often focus on using high-quality, lightfast pigments. This ensures your artwork retains its original colors and doesn't become washed out over time.

Using sustainable art supplies can help your artwork resist the natural breakdown of materials and fading from light exposure, allowing it to be enjoyed for years to come.