Liza Basay

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True Art from Trash

Possibilities of Using Plastic as a Fine Art Material

I once took part in a wonderful project, sculpting seven life-sized "prepeople" primarily from trash for an unusual theatrical event held 50 meters underground. It was experimental, unique, and of course, welcomed any kind of unconventional materials. But what if we talk about fine art?

According to Wikipedia, fine art is judged for its beauty and meaningfulness. One of the main principles taught in art school is that an artwork needs to be long-lasting in terms of philosophy, aesthetics, and mechanics. Therefore, materials chosen for this kind of artwork are always classics like oil, watercolor, marble, wood, glass, metal, and so on. Newer materials, like acrylic and fabric, are now taking their place. However, experiments in the world of fine art are still limited. This is not right, because this is the realm that truly inspires people to challenge and believe in themselves, as the work of art is a never-ending path to perfection.

I believe that plastic is a treasure on this path because:


  1. It is long-lasting: Plastic endures over time, making it a durable material for creating art.

  2. It can hold any form and detail: Plastic's versatility allows artists to mold and shape it into intricate designs.

  3. It's Environmental impact: If we don't start to reuse plastic, we will drown in it. Repurposing plastic in art can help address environmental concerns.


The meaning of reused plastic in art lies in its ability to give faith, purpose, and optimism. By transforming discarded plastic into beautiful and meaningful works of art, we can inspire others and promote a more sustainable future.