Faces of the Rebellion: Pat Grant
Extinction Rebellion (XR) is a global movement that uses controversial but non-violent direct action – such as blockading traffic in major cities – to make governments take climate action. What drives an ordinary person to join XR? Kristen...
Extinction Rebellion (XR) is a global movement that uses controversial but non-violent direct action – such as blockading traffic in major cities – to make governments take climate action. What drives an ordinary person to join XR? Kristen McDonald introduces a local member
Austinmer father of two Pat Grant is an artist who donates his creative skills to the issues he’s passionate about. When he’s not creating, you’ll find him skateboarding or regenerating bushland.
“My art practice is telling stories through comics and illustrations. I teach in the Animation program at UTS and I’m also part of a small visual storytelling business. My art practice is directed towards two things at the moment: environmental justice and community building. Making graphics for XRNI and other protest movements means I can pursue both of those directions at the same time.
“I have always been a bit of a hopeless activist because I get overwhelmed by complexity and I don’t like planning events, but I can do things like run camp kitchens, dig toilets and make drawings. I like to contribute in practical ways so that movement organisers feel supported.
“I think the usual channels for change sometimes forget about community. All of the great and successful social movements share the quality of bringing people together. Protest shouldn’t burn us out. It should fill our bellies, warm our hearts and make us excited about life. Part of political organising is doing the slow practical work of creating physical community spaces, safe spaces for the sharing of ideas, listening and learning. We need these places to imagine futures that don’t exist yet.
“I want to see northern suburbs residents slowing down and listening to each other more.”
