“Art helps us identify with one another and expands our notion of we -- from the local to the global.” ~ Olafur Eliasson

Although art is created for many reasons, now more than ever, it is being used to raise awareness of several issues that unite us globally. From poverty to global warming to mental illness, artists are actively realizing the influence they have over society. Our team atMade By Humans have rounded up three of our favourite artists that are using their craft to ignite meaningful change. From raising money for charity to creating pieces that interact with communities, these artists are using their talent for the betterment of society.

One Heart One Tree: Blending the boundaries between nature and technology, Belgian artist Naziha Mestaoui’s “One Heart One Tree” projects virtual forests onto popular city spaces. By connecting a heartbeat sensor through their smartphones, viewers can also take part in this project, allowing each virtual tree to grow to the rhythm of their hearts. With the goal of reforesting the planet, this project offers a long-term social and environmental impact, as the digital trees are later physically planted throughout the world. To date, this project has sparked the growth of over 14,000 trees across Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia, with 53,411 trees more to be planted.