Riverside artist Rebecca Waring-Crane’s latest project, Article 24, transforms food insecurity data into a powerful visual statement—inviting the community to take part in raising awareness and inspiring change.
Rebecca Waring-Crane’s Art Calls Attention to Childhood Hunger
Riverside artist Rebecca Waring-Crane’s latest project, Article 24, transforms food insecurity data into a powerful visual statement—inviting the community to take part in raising awareness and inspiring change.
Riverside artist Rebecca Waring-Crane is using the power of art to bring attention to the often-unseen crisis of childhood hunger in our community. Her latest project, "Article 24," builds upon the powerful message of her previous work, "Empty," and invites the public to become active participants in raising awareness and fostering change.
Waring-Crane's inspiration stems from the sobering statistic that 16,553 elementary school children in Riverside qualify for the federal free lunch program. This fuels her artistic exploration of the challenges faced by these children and the critical role of community support. Her earlier project, "Empty," featured 504 ceramic spoons suspended from a wooden framework, each spoon representing ten children struggling with food insecurity. This visual representation powerfully conveyed the scale of the problem within the Alvord Unified School District. The project wasn't just about art; it was a catalyst for dialogue. Waring-Crane organized a panel of regional leaders from organizations dedicated to combating poverty, homelessness, and hunger, further amplifying the conversation and connecting art with real-world action.
"Food insecurity isn't a common artistic focus. For Article 24, I lean into art's capacity to engage viewers and focus their attention on an issue that is emotionally cold, such as abstract numbers." Says Waring-Crane, "When experienced immersively, food insecurity data has the power to galvanize moral imagination and move viewers toward generous and meaningful action.'
"Article 24" takes this engagement a step further. Inspired by Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which states a child's right to the highest attainable standard of health, including access to adequate nutrition. The project seeks to deepen public understanding and inspire direct participation. Article 24 emphasizes the responsibility of nations to combat disease and malnutrition, ensure access to clean water and nutritious food, and promote health education. Waring-Crane's work translates these international principles into a local call to action.
Waring-Crane's "Article 24" vision involves a large-scale installation crafted from recycled cardboard. Project Engineer Keith Helbly is assisting her on the piece. He is tasked with turning the vision into 16,500 actual cardboard spoons hanging from the ceiling in the grand hall of the Zapara School of Business.
The project's central motif is the spoon, a symbol of nourishment and a direct link to the issue of food insecurity. But this is not simply a piece to be observed; it's a piece to be created. Waring-Crane calls on the community to contribute directly to the construction of the artwork, transforming individuals into active participants in the project's message.
Here's how you can get involved: Waring-Crane needs your help to create the thousands of cardboard spoons that will form the "Article 24" installation. The process is simple and accessible to everyone. All you need is a thin cardboard box – think mac and cheese boxes, cereal boxes, or similar packaging. Trace the outline of a spoon onto the cardboard, carefully cut it out, and you've created a piece of the artwork. You can create as many spoons as you like.
As of the latest count, 10,000 of the 16,500 needed spoons have been collected. Rebecca encourages you to assist: "We're still collecting single-layer cardboard from food packaging like cereal or cracker boxes. Not corrugated or heavy stuff, no pet food or Amazon boxes." the artist continues, "Drop them off at Zapara School of Business, La Sierra University, by noon on Friday, February 28, to help us create enough spoons."
"Article 24" is more than just an art installation; it's a powerful statement about the importance of community, the right to health and nutrition, and the potential for art to inspire change. By participating in this project, you become a part of the conversation, a part of the solution, and a part of a community working together to ensure every child has access to the nourishment they need to thrive. Join us in creating "Article 24" and making a difference in the lives of children facing hunger in Riverside.
