My latest installation is a co-creation between myself and the children of local charity Hackney Quest installed at Stour Space for London Craft Week. The design is inspired by Pajaki chandeliers from Poland, traditionally made from paper and other natural materials. In today’s Anthropocene Age this folk craft has been reimagined to use waste materials creatively. The piece is made almost entirely from waste, including an old trampoline, cardboard tubes and bottle tops, scrap textiles and all kinds of plastics (bags, netting, cling film, sweet wrappers etc.) Through the workshops children learned to make pom poms, tassels, giant plaits and garlands made entirely from waste that became part of the final piece.
This creative reuse project aims to shine a light on the quality of materials that are going to waste everyday in the UK from the textile industry and as single use items. By reusing materials we not only divert them from landfill and prevent them polluting the environment but also raise awareness about the issue of waste. It’s important to teach children to question where materials came from and where they are going, to recognize the potential in waste and inspire innovation beyond throw-away culture. In this time of Climate and Ecological Crisis we need more infrastructure in place to channel these materials to makers who can develop new ways of using them.
The project is produced by arts organisation Hackney Arts with thanks to the Hackney Wick and Fish Island Creative Enterprise Zone fund. Hackney Arts is an arts organisation with a social mission, aiming to drive meaningful change through the power of the arts and explore the connection between arts, wellbeing, mental health, community and inclusivity. They work with local community organisations to deliver creative projects and workshops, focussing on the therapeutic and personal development opportunities that come from working with artists and having access to the arts.
