Artist Pam’s Throne all she can at WaterAid project
Paisley talent teams up with Buddie born Rankin for Best Seat in the House
Paisley-born superstar photographer Rankin has teamed up with WaterAid to help elevate the status of the humble loo and celebrate them for the lifesavers they are.
A host of artists, fashion designers and celebrities have created their own unique toilet seats as part of a project called the Best Seat in the House, which shines a light on how toilets are a luxury that is out of reach for millions.
The list of celebs includes Paisley designer and musician Pam Hogg, who has created a fabulous golden throne.
WaterAid is working to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation.
The international not-for-profit organisation works in 28 countries to change the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people.
Since 1981, WaterAid has reached 28 million people with clean water and nearly 29 million people with decent toilets.
Pam - who recently called on the public to share their Paisleypatterned items to mark the 150th anniversary of Paisley Museum - said: “Millions of people do not have the luxury of sitting on their own toilet in their own home.
“This affects women and girls disproportionately.
“Toilets help keep girls safe and in school, and also helps prevent the spread of diseases.
“They shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for some, but an essential for all.
“I named mine The Throne and created a fantasy gold draped and frilled one with recycled leftover fabrics from previous collections.
“I added gold bows to represent the gift, to inspire much-needed donations to this essential cause. “
Pam joins Harry Hill, Val Garland, Ozwald Boateng, Martin Parr, Boy George, Dame Zandra Rhodes, Pure Evil and Hayden Kays among 25 artists who have given the best seat in the house a special splash of luxury, highlighting how toilets are a luxury denied to 1.7 billion people.
The collection, which also includes punk art, seats decorated in beautiful fabric and a lucky toilet seat, has been photographed in a set of stylish shots by the Rankin Agency to help lift the lid on the sanitation crisis this World Toilet Day today.
One-in-five people globally have no decent toilet at home, compromising their safety, dignity and health, with 800 children dying every day from diarrhoeal diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation.
A third of schools lack these vital facilities, so millions of girls stay at home during their period, holding them back from fulfilling their potential.
Rankin said: “It’s easy for us to take toilets for granted - we just assume everyone has one.
“But one-in-five people don’t have this basic human right – that’s an extraordinary figure.
“When travelling with work, I’ve seen first-hand how difficult it is for people to live without a toilet, and the impact it has on their health, education, dignity and safety.
“The toilet really is the best seat in the house, and that’s what we want to show through this campaign.
“Toilets can make us feel a little uncomfortable.
“Using the toilet seat as a canvas is an accessible and engaging way to put the spotlight on toilets and get people talking about them.
“The designs are fun, but carry an important message – that everyone everywhere needs a decent toilet.
“And, by supporting WaterAid, we can help get toilets into schools around the world so children can build a better future.”
As part of WaterAid’s Thirst for Knowledge appeal this winter, the international charity is helping get toilets and clean water to communities in Nepal and many more around the world, helping prevent the spread of deadly diseases, improve education, and transform lives.
The UK Government will match public donations made until February 15 next year up to £2million.
Tim Wainwright, chief executive at WaterAid, added: “A lack of toilets traps whole communities in poverty, affecting people’s health, safety and dignity.
“When there are no toilets in schools, girls often skip class during their period or drop out altogether when they reach puberty, holding them back from fulfilling their potential.
“To mark World Toilet Day, we are sharing the message that toilets save lives, and are raising money to help get clean water and toilets to schools and communities around the world.
“These vital facilities can help quench every girl’s thirst for learning so they can build a better future.
“We are also delighted that the UK Government is matching public donations this winter, helping make double the difference.”
To view the Best Seat in the House collection and donate, visit www.wateraid.org/uk/toilet-art
Toilets help keep girls safe and in school, and also helps prevent the spread of diseases