Gaia

Gaia was created as a collaborative project at Street Quaker Meeting, led by Liz Smith and Madeleine Page. Our Climate Emergency Craft Group was inspired to make something more eye catching than the usual banners for vigils and demonstrations. Together we built Gaia, using a metal framed backpack, zimmer frame and materials from the local scrapstore. Her head is papier mache over a chicken wire base and her hair was plaited by dozens of Friends using odd ends of wool. Her hand and machine sown cloak depicts a map of Somerset as it is predicted to be within the next century; the levels flooded with sea water to create a new coast line. Gaia walks in silent mourning for what will be lost, reminding all who meet her that humans are just a tiny part of the global ecosystem, but carrying huge responsibility. She stands over 3 meters tall and enjoys dancing at festivals and processions.

Gaia was conceived to represent James Lovelock’s Gaia Hypothesis; that all organisms and their inorganic surroundings on Earth are closely integrated to form a single and self regulating complex system, maintaining the conditions for life. Her cloak brings the message that the actions of humans are threatening Gaia’s continued existence, inviting all who meet her to act.