Walker & Bromwich:
The Encampment of Eternal Hope

Walker & Bromwich:
The Encampment of Eternal Hope

Artists Zoe Walker and Neil Bromwich have continuously resurrected an inflatable installation known as “The Encampment of Eternal Hope” with the same message behind it – the importance of our planet, its beautiful cultures and the rapid acceleration in their decline. The installation was originally raised in 2012 within the walls of the BALTIC Centre of Contemporary Art, Gateshead, UK. From 2012 they have continued to add, refine and develop their installation further.

With the arrival of the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland 2021, Walker and Bromwich was commissioned by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to raise their mass of installations. From a fish market to an artist’s residence and exhibition space, The Briggait was chosen to host the large cluster of inflatables as well as workshops and events that accompanied the artwork.

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The duo’s artistic practice aims to bring awareness to the anthropogenic effects onto the planet, such as pollution, deforestation, the extraction of fossil fuels such as oil and coal, and so on. They encouraged pilgrims to visit the building as a safe refuge, a place to listen, to be heard, and to be fed a delicious bowl of vegan soup.

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On October 30th 2021, the duo artists took to the streets with their 30 metre long “Serpent of Capitalism” amongst fellow activists such as members of the group Extinction Rebellion. Followed by a samba band, the ‘Serpent’ and parade could hardly be missed. It was an incredible spectacle that evoked tears from many onlookers, grasping and understanding the concept of how important COP26 is. Whether the Blue Zone understands how important the concept of COP26 is another concern, as highlighted by Greta Thunberg in her speech during her visit to Glasgow for the event – “The people in power can continue to live in their bubble filled with their fantasies, like eternal growth on a finite planet and technological solutions that will suddenly appear seemingly out of nowhere and will erase all of these crises just like that”.

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Walker and Bromwich have led many important events such as “Possible Dialogues”, which was initiated in 2020. This project invited indigenous visitors to share their culture and the importance of it in regard to their very own survival. Present was the founder of Más Arte Más Acción (MAMA) – Erna von der Walde; MAMA is an organisation that provides a platform for activist art concerning Colombia since 2011. Walde translated for an indigenous woman who had travelled from the middle of the Amazonia to share her way of life, and to educate the listeners of the increasing endangerment to her people and their culture. Sunnyside Primary School’s Ocean Defenders from Scotland were present during this talk after they had walked the streets during a peaceful protest. The woman was thankful for their presence during her talk, as she explained from a perspective where deforestation was close to home. She explained that her home is collapsing due to the high demand for resources from her homeland. She spoke about how the destruction of the land was resulting in the decrease in population due to migration which endangers their culture and its future.

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It is important to educate the youth, as it is their future that is in danger. Small creative tasks such as being involved in this talk and workshops will help to inspire and teach them, so that they can grow up to build a safer world for all. Sunnyside Primary School is a shining example of a school that other educational institutes can take inspiration from.

Walker and Bromwich’s installations are a fantastic example of peace and a representation of the good, the bad and the probability of what is to be expected in the future. These tall, noisy, inflated works roar softly as they are filled with air, a sound that can best describe the quiet screams of the Earth as it tries to push-on. The iconic symbolism of a flower placed within a weapon of mass destruction has been used and amalgamated to form pieces like “Love Cannon”. Weapons of mass destruction are manmade, but the materials are originally sourced and produced from the Earth. We obtain everything we make and use from the very planet we inhabit. Many items created by humans damage the Earth, some examples being destructive weapons, nuclear compounds, and plastic. Although resources are sourced from the planet, we must recognise that they are not endless nor does the process for extraction of the materials help the state of the Earth. We hurt the Earth with its own creations, take advantage of its gifts to nurture our needs, without returning the same care and replenishing renewable resources.

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Walker and Bromwich create more than artworks, they have built a space that encourages and fosters these imperative talks. They sponsor a safe refuge for those who care for the planet and are concerned for the generations to come, whilst encouraging the wider public to become inspired for change. “The Encampment of Eternal Hope” is a creative notion of a post-apocalyptic site where people are able to share stories and insight into the world and its affair.

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“The Encampment for Eternal Hope” responds to COP26 above and beyond, and will continue to be more. It is a place of safety, harbour, recognition and a platform for people to discuss their concerns. A starting or passing point for major activist actions that spread the message of environmental emergency and a call to action.