WCC NEWS: Artist behind “The Thinker’s Burden” reflects on how to leave the world better than you found it

In front of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, artist Benjamin Von Wong has been surrounding his 20-foot-tall art installation, “The Thinker’s Burden,” with a little more plastic trash every day. Photo: Rhoda Mphande/WCC 15 August 2025 Von Wong, a Canadian artist, created his sculpture specifically for this month’s round of negotiations over the first global plastics treaty. It features a replica of Auguste Rodin’s sculpture “The Thinker.” Von Wong’s version holds a baby in one hand, and is perched atop Mother Earth while a strand of DNA coils around him. Canadian Artist and activist, Benjamin Von Wong. Photo: Rhoda Mphande/WCC The photographer-turned-sculptor is trying to send a message to diplomats as they hammer out a United Nations agreement to curb plastic pollution. Photo: Rhoda Mphande/WCC Von Wong recalled his early days as a photographer, when he was focused on trying to get as much attention as possible. Now, his quest to change the world inspires him far more than the quest for attention, fame, or influence.  Around 2016-17, Von Wong shifted his work from photographs to large art installations. His installation “Turn Off the Plastic Tap” was featured at the UN Environment Assembly meeting that kicked off plastics treaty negotiations in 2022. Though he does not consider himself religious, he does think of himself as spiritual. “It is the right thing to do to leave the world better than you found it,” he said. “I would assume that churches are about how to live a good and meaningful life, and contribute to make the world better for all people on the planet.” He believes you cannot think about thriving people without thinking about a thriving planet.  Photo: Von Wong Productions “When we think about dismantling the systems we’ve built that are gendered and unfair and deeply patriarchal—that’s the only way the world gets better,” he said. “I just really think that my work strives to make something invisible, visible.” Von Wong can’t be sure if “The Thinker’s Burden” has really made a difference inside negotiations to end plastic pollution. “But I know for a fact people viewing this installation are talking about their position, and it’s helping them communicate about issues that used to be much more abstract.”  Photo: Von Wong Productions Von Wong used to get obsessed with trying to measure the impact of his art.  “But it’s like trying to measure how much you love someone,” he said. “What I really look for is—is it sticking after a long period of time?” See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland