Editorial: The value of art shouldn't be disregarded

The yarn bombing in Greerton is causing controversy. Photo / File

The flow of letters to the editor and comments on Facebook about Greerton's wool-covered trees have been constant since the knitted works were strung up on trees around the village.

Who would have thought knitting could cause so much controversy?

What seems to be irking many of the writers is that the wool used to adorn Greerton's trees could have been used to knit warm clothes for needy children and adults.

Sure, it could. But the same could be said of many things in life. It's like saying you shouldn't sponsor an overseas child when there's poverty in our own backyard, or that you shouldn't care about animal welfare when our domestic violence rates are so high.

There are many different ways to help the less fortunate, and there are so many people and causes deserving of that help. It's up to each of us to decide what our contributions will be to the society we live in.

The yarn bombers have contributed to the community of Greerton by helping make the village a festive, fun place to be in winter, and they're also using the art works to fundraise for charity. To me, it's a win-win - it looks good and is achieving good things.

In our society, artistic works seem to have little value placed on them. They have no easily measurable benefits to society and so are seen by many as superfluous or a waste of money.

You can't measure the size of someone's smile upon seeing something pleasing to the eye, or put a scale on the feeling of wellbeing you get when the place you live in looks and feels beautiful.

But it doesn't make these things any less valuable.

Keep up the good work knitters. I love what you've done and I hope those that appreciate your efforts dig deep for the charities you're supporting.