At the turn of the millennium, I became enamored with a group of artists who infuse their artworks with environmental messages while simultaneously highlighting the beauty of natural resources. These individuals are known as ecotechnicians and each is renowned for crafting works that celebrate our planet!
These ecoartists utilize discarded materials to craft one-of-a-kind pieces that embody their concerns for our world. Through artistic expression, they communicate these issues to a broader audience – inspiring action towards preservation efforts!
It’s not uncommon to drive by a dumpster and think, ‘what could be in there?’ Artist Victor De Angelis dove headfirst into this question when he was invited to sculpt something out of it. After some consideration, his choice was the sludge from an industrial composting facility – and boy did he choose wisely!
Aside from the fact that this material is completely biodegradable, what makes these sculptures so captivating? It certainly isn’t their natural appearance; rather, its undeniable aesthetic appeal. Max Kapelyev, who recently acquired one such creation, writes: “These unique sculptures are impressive three-dimensional artworks made from organic waste products.” Indeed!
1. Mary Ellen Croteau’s Recycled Plastic Canvas Art
Croteau utilizes recycled plastic from plastics like cups, bottles and food packaging to create the perfect canvas for her breathtakingly intricate artworks.
Croteau discovered that she could transform ordinary plastic food containers into stunning pieces of art after witnessing a design-savvy chef use them as canvases during an exhibition in New Jersey. Since then she has turned many discarded items into eye-catching masterpieces!
Mary Ellen Croteau’s stunning creations are imbued with meticulous attention to detail and captivating color palettes. Each piece is truly one-of-a-kind; exhibiting no more than ten created per year – making them all the more valuable!
2. Andrea Zittel’s Upcycled Aluminum Sculptures
Andrea Zittel is one of the most renowned environmental artists on the scene today. With over 25 years of practice under her belt, she has built a reputation as a pioneer in repurposing discarded materials into stunning sculptures. Her work exemplifies the notion that art can be made from anything – even recycled aluminum!
Zittel’s initial motivation was to create a more sustainable alternative to plastics and other rigid materials when creating her works; however, over time she realized that recycling aluminum could provide a beneficial result for our environment as well. Through rationalizing production and consumption patterns, the artist is able thus far have successfully safeguarded resources while also enhancing her artistry with each new creation!
3. Chris Jordan’s Plastic Water Bottle Structures
After a lengthy soak in bleach, discarded plastic bottles take on a uniquely sculptural form when utilized by artist Chris Jordan. Utilizing a range of materials such as fishing netting and recycled tires, he creates lifelike environmental sculptures that render the landscape in an otherworldly light; alluding to both nature’s bounty at one time as well as its resilience today.
With his innovative planter sculptures, Jordan attempts to foster a sense of reverence for naturalized environments – imbuing them with a sense of worthiness befitting any masterpiece worthy of admiration. As we contemplate one such work – crafted from over 4000 discarded bottles – it inspires us with thoughts of the immutable nature of our world!
4. Jennifer Nocon’s Junk Yard Mobiles
Jennifer Nocon, or Junk Yard Mobiles, is an international artist who uses discarded objects in her artworks. Utilizing salvaged materials, Nocon creates vibrant and eye-catching sculptures that not only liven up urban landscapes but also convey the message of solidarity with fellow humankind.
Hailing from Seattle and possessing a background in architectural design, Nocon began experimenting with recycling two decades ago. She discovered she could create stunning sculptures out of steel beams and other debris. Since then, she has been working to address issues concerning landfills by transforming them into spectacular public art pieces!
