Trash into art: Filipino artist upcycles waste material into paintings
With the scattering of tiny shredded plastic bits across a refurbished canvas, Filipino artist Gilbert Angeles is transforming waste -- especially non-recyclable trash -- into paintings worth up to a few thousand dollars.
Since 2019, the 49-year old artist has made over two dozen such paintings - all of them made from a mix of shredded plastics, expired paint and leftover wood from demolished homes.
These materials were sourced from around his neighborhood or donated by contacts he has built since starting his campaign.
Angeles said he started his advocacy after reading a news article about the Philippines being among the top contributors of plastic waste, hoping his talents can somehow influence people to re-think how they get rid of or generate trash.
"We are the third contributor of plastic waste into the ocean, the third in world. When I found out about that, I had to think of ways to raise awareness and knowledge on the reasons why we contribute these waste," he said.
His artworks have since been featured in upscale galleries, with paintings selling for about $600 to $3,000 depending on their size. A fraction of the proceeds will go to his recently established group Green Artz, which Angeles said aims to spur artists into using recycled waste for their art pieces.
The Philippines is among the top five marine plastic polluters in the world, according to a 2017 report of the environmental group Ocean Conservancy and the McKinsey Centre for Business and Environment.
(Source: Reuters)
Families of Israeli captives press for swap deal with Hamas
Gazans mourn over bodies of loved ones at al-Najjar hospital in Rafah
Greek May Day demos condemn Israeli savagery in Gaza
Russia rejects US accusation of violating chemical weapons ban in Ukraine
Gaza media office slams Israel for killing dozens of Palestinian journalists
VIDEO | South Africa workers highlight link between Palestinian struggle and achieving full liberation
Protesters try to stop removal of migrants by UK police
China vows 'necessary measures' in response to new US sanctions
VIDEO | Israel’s economic crisis
May 1: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
Russia says US has held UN Security Council 'hostage'
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
