An edited version of this article can be found in Anthroposhere, the Oxford climate review: https://www.anthroposphere.co.uk/product-page/anthroposphere-issue-i ‘Art embodies creative thought. Creative thought is a fundamental part of our participation in creation. It’s also essential to solving the problems of the world, from war and hunger, to extinction and global warming. Amid the daunting realities of our time, the work of artists may prove to be more important than ever