tik' tok' (living canvas)

Commissioned and Published on Future Generations Report 2025

Title: “Tik’ Tok’ (Living Canvas for Climate Change)”, 24th February 2025, Body Art Photographed, Cheb Arts.

Time Stamp of the Art: 06:41 AM- 19:13 PM

Photographer: Ndotenyin Godwin Akang

“Tik’ Tok’ (Living Canvas for Climate Change)”, Is an evocative artwork that transforms the human body into a visual narrative, illustrating the progression of a day from morning to evening to convey the causes, impacts, and solutions related to climate change.

Morning: The Pristine Beginning

The artwork’s lower section, spanning from the toes to the knees, depicts a lush green forest bathed in the light of a rising sun over the Sea and the Mountains. This imagery symbolizes the Earth’s original, unspoiled state—a fresh, sustainable world untouched by pollution. It represents the dawn of a new day, filled with potential and harmony.

Midday: The Crisis Unfolds

Moving upward, the central portion of the body—from above the knees through the thighs to the chest—captures the turmoil of midday, a time when human activities peak. This section portrays various environmental degradations:

•       Deforestation: The thighs illustrate the destruction of forests, highlighting the loss of vital ecosystems.

•       Water Pollution: Depictions of industrial waste and human refuse contaminating water bodies emphasize the crisis of polluted waterways.

•       Air Pollution: Emissions from industrial smoke and fumes are shown, underscoring the deterioration of air quality.

•       Wildfires: Imagery of rampant fires reflects the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires contributing to deforestation and loss of good soil intensity.

•       Pursuit of Wealth: A hand holding money signifies society’s relentless chase for economic gain at the environment’s expense.

Adjacent to this depiction of crisis is a vision of a “Green City,” illustrating a climate-conscious world:

•       Sustainable Infrastructure: Green buildings equipped with solar panels and wind turbines represent the adoption of renewable energy sources.

•       Thriving Ecosystems: Abundant trees, fruit-bearing plants, and freely roaming animals depict a balanced coexistence between humans and nature.

•        Community Engagement: Scenes of people engaged in discussions and daily activities, children playing in central playgrounds, and individuals fishing from boats highlight the importance of public involvement in environmental decision-making.

A poignant element is the handshake, where one arm appears engulfed in flames while the other remains unscathed. This symbolizes the daily choices we face, pursuing harmful practices leading to destruction or adopting sustainable decisions fostering restoration. Midday Crisis and Green city is Positioned over vital organs—the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, uterus, and bladder—this section emphasizes the critical stakes of climate change, affecting the very core of life.

Evening: Restoration and Renewal

The uppermost part of the artwork, symbolizing evening, portrays a phase of restoration. Animals are shown returning to their habitats, and a pristine waterfall cascade, represented by the model’s flowing hair. The model’s serene expression suggests a deep inhalation of fresh air, embodying a sense of renewal and the fulfillment that comes from making positive environmental choices throughout the day.

Overall, the model’s pose, gazing intently at an hourglass, serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency of time. It emphasizes that the window for impactful action against climate change is narrowing, urging immediate and conscious efforts to preserve our planet.