The scrap to art movement has gone from strength to strength. Especially in the past couple of decades. Many artists have started using scrap materials to create art out of a desire to help the planet by using items that would otherwise end up in landfill.
The results have been spectacular, with galleries across the world showing interest in displaying their work. Many of them have been asked to create public works of art and are having no problem selling their creations.
Here are five artists who are at the forefront of this relatively new art movement.
Mariusz Jose Olejnik – Scrap Car Artist
In 2011, when there was a crisis in the scrap market in Europe, Mariusz Jose Olejnik, from Poland, was inspired to experiment with turning scrap into works of art. He started by recreating classic cars using parts from other
scrapped cars. It was an inspired move.
To date, he along with a network of 120 other international artists have created over 600 sculptures made from scrap. They have turned to popular culture for inspiration and taken suggestions from gallery visitors to create their collection which includes figures from movies, fairy tales, literature, and history.
Their work is now displayed in 5 European galleries, which are magnets for visitors. There is no doubt that they are inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
Jason Heppenstall – Metal Birds, Bikes and more
Jason Heppenstall has been working with recycled materials since he was a boy, honing his ability to turn scrap into treasures. Today, he mainly works with recycled steel and old tools, from which he creates birds, insects, and abstract works.
He once dredged the Rochdale canal for materials. Many of the resulting pieces were inspired by life in and around that manmade waterway. Including two beautiful kingfishers.
Helen Denerley – Larger Than Life Metal Animals
Helen Denerley has been working as a sculptor, in the North East of Scotland since 1977. During that time, she has produced several iconic works of art. Including her larger-than-life scrap giraffes that she created for Leith Walk park in Edinburgh. Her sculptural forms make use of negative space to create interest and depth.
Veronika Richterova – PET Art Sculptures
Veronika Richterova is a Czech painter, visual artist, and sculptor. Many of her sculptors are created using Polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In particular, plastic bottles. Discovering that PET could easily be deformed using heat, inspired her to start experimenting. Today, her plastic art animals and plants are in big demand and have been displayed across Europe.
Iwi Lahcen – Tire Sculptor
Iwi Lahcen creates vivid sculptors using old tires. To date, he has mainly created big cats and other animals. His tire lion is particularly lifelike. Iwi has managed to capture the power and agility of this animal. It almost looks like his lion is about to spring forwards.
Recently, he has moved away from animal subjects. His latest work is a version of the Winged Victory of Samothrace which has all of the detail of the original.
Faig Ahmed's - Magic Carpets
When Faig Ahmed's parents left him in their living room playing alone they were in for a shock. He cut up the rug. Unfortunately, the rug was a family heirloom, so the unique patterns he had created by rearranging the pieces were not fully appreciated, at the time.
But for Faig, who is from Azerbaijan, it was the beginning of a lifelong passion. He has continued to create spectacular and unique new rugs. Recently, he has started to experiment with using recycled materials, which has led him to explore and challenge the boundaries even more.
There is no doubt, that this relatively new art movement is going to go from strength to strength. The possibilities are endless and the level of interest in this form of art is high and continues to grow.
