The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

There is no doubt that plastics have played a vital role in shaping our modern world. A material that is cost effective, lightweight and durable. Unfortunately these same qualities of plastic have led to major environmental issues. Damaging ecosystems and the wildlife that inhabit them. 

There are a number of traditional alternatives to plastics, including cardboard, paper and glass. These have been used in the mainstream for centuries,  sadly they are often overshadowed by plastic, due to cost and versatility. Some emerging alternatives include materials like bamboo, seaweed and mycelium(Fungi), which are all bio-degradable materials and present us with an insight into a future with no single-use plastics.

My painting, titled “The good, the bad & the ugly” illustrates a spectrum of different materials. At the base of the painting sits a black plastic bag spilling out its contents, piled at the opening lays a variety of plastics that can't be recycled or rarely are. The composition then shifts to more desirable plastics such as water bottles and dairy containers. Next up is glass and tins, items that can be recycled indefinitely, Finally culminating at the top of the artwork are the biodegradable items merging with nature, representing a more cohesive and sustainable relationship.

In my artworks” Red apples, Nasturtium and Blood trumpet” I have painted flowers and fruit, often symbolic of decay and fleeting beauty, in this case they stand as a reminder of nature's efficiency. The flowers and fruit have a limited life span, they will eventually get  broken down by insects, fungi and bacteria, leaving behind byproducts that will later contribute to new life. In contrast to that I have ironically placed the plastic bottles centered as the focal points, unable to biodegrade or add any sustenance to the environment. Disrupting what may have been traditionally beautiful paintings and resembling a far too common theme in nature.

Greed remains the driving force for plastic production.I want my works to encourage people to question the current packaging practices, to embrace alternative materials and work together towards a more sustainable future.

“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” — Greek Proverb