GSU professor points to dangers of plastic pollution in exhibit 'Ocean Gleaning'

Pam Longobardi
Pam Longobardi installing a piece in "Ocean Gleaning" at Fall Line Press Studio. (Courtesy of Vanessa Johnson)

An estimated 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, affecting marine life, birds, food quality, human health and contributing to climate change. Atlanta artist and Georgia State University art professor Pam Longobardi has been alerting us to this crisis through her artwork for over 15 years. Her organization, The Drifters Project, brings together art and outreach while cleaning beaches worldwide. Longobardi’s new exhibition, “Ocean Gleaning,” is on view at the Fall Line Press Studio in Castleberry Hill through April 15, anticipating the upcoming release of her new book of the same name. The artist and activist joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom to discuss the ongoing challenge of plastic pollution and how she finds art and poetry therein.

Interview highlights:

Using discarded plastics and other materials to make art: