TR Trades Travel Ready Fabric Assists in Fight to End Plastic Pollution

Meet Pete Clarkson, an environmental artist from Tofino, BC, who has made it his mission to transform beach-combed debris into powerful art installations. Pete approached TR Trades with a problem: he needed a 5’x7’ high quality photographic print, quickly, that was able to compress into his suitcase for a trip to Ottawa without being damaged. His art installation, ‘Styrofoam Shores’, was designed to visually bring attention to the massive amounts of Styrofoam circulating in our Oceans and was to be exhibited at the UN’s Global Plastics Treaty Conference in Ottawa. Working with TR Trades, Pete was able to set up his installation successfully and on time, while also staying true to his artistic vision.

Pete Clarkson’s Journey

Pete Clarkson has long combined locally sourced, beach-combed objects into his artworks, creating impactful wall hangings, sculptures, and outdoor installations. Pete partnered with Surf Rider Canada for their ‘Foam Free Waters’ campaign, which advocates for banning the use of Styrofoam in marine habitats. With his extensive experience in coastal shoreline cleanups, Pete was keen to help shape policy at the UN Global Plastic Treaty negotiations in Ottawa.

Faced with the challenge of creating a compelling, travel-ready installation, Pete recognized the potential pitfalls of transporting art. He needed a high quality, large format photographic print that was portable enough to fit in a suitcase and survive a flight without damage. Furthermore, the risk of putting any art into oversized luggage was not only a hassle but carried the risk of not arriving in Ottawa on time.

The TR Trades Difference

Recommended by the Ocean Legacy Foundation, TR Trades stood out as the ideal partner for Pete’s project. Together they embarked on a mission to find the ideal material for his photo installation. They settled on TR Trades Travel Ready Fabric, renowned for its inkjet coating that ensures vibrant prints.
Its ability to remain flat and crease-free while being ultra-lightweight made it the ultimate choice for Pete’s project.
TR Trades printed Pete’s photo on their new 64”, 10 Colour Ink, Epson Large Format Printer, at 5’x7’. This impressive size was crucial for Pete’s vision, allowing viewers to feel as though they were actually standing on the shore, surrounded by the pressing issue of Styrofoam pollution.

Pete was not only thankful for the expert advice but also the swift action of TR Trades. With the installation scheduled in Ottawa and time ticking, the TR Trades team managed a remarkable 48-hour turnaround, ensuring the artwork was printed, packed, shipped, and delivered to Vancouver Island in time for Pete’s trip. The contribution of TR Trades and the reliability of the fabric were instrumental in successfully bringing Pete’s vision to life.
Pete was recommended to TR Trades through the Ocean Legacy Foundation who has used TR Trades for other environmental graphic display projects.

A Vision Realized Through Collaboration

Pete finally got his first glimpse of the finished print as he was setting up in Ottawa, and he was immediately impressed by its size, clarity and material quality. He knew it was exactly what he had been hoping for! He mounted the fabric onto a lightweight wooden frame using double-sided tape and propped the full frame against a wall. To enhance the immersive experience, Pete arranged Styrofoam pieces collected from shoreline cleanups in front of the canvas, creating a 3D affect that made it feel as though viewers were standing right on the beach shores amid the Styrofoam debris.
Thanks to the expertise of TR Trades, Pete crafted a successful installation that spotlighted a critical environmental issue in Canada.

If you wish to explore how TR Trades Travel Ready Fabric can assist you on your next long distance project, please call TR Trades for more information at 604.736.4571 x 2 or email digital@trtrades.com