Jackie Thompson
Recycling is on the rise in the US, where paper and paperboard make up 66.54% of materials recycled, followed by metals, then rubber, leather, and textiles. Although most recycled materials are used in manufacturing, artists are also playing a vital role in giving new life to unwanted items, converting them from nothing into everything. Two artists from across the globe—Szymon Kot from Chorzów (in Southern Poland) and Simon Peter Sai (from Gulu in Northern Uganda) are both showing the extent to which waste can be a symbol of hope and new life. Of course, both work in very different media—one in fashion and the other in portraiture.
When Clothing Becomes Art
Szymon Kot came up with the idea of recreating renowned artworks into wearable fashion during the pandemic. Once a ballroom dancer, he decided to immerse himself fully in the garment world, creating unique cloth paintings from recycled materials. His most famous depictions include a self-portrait of Frida Kahlo, Girl With the Pearl Earring by Vermeer, Lady with an Ermine by Da Vinci, and Sunflowers by Van Gogh.
Celebrating the Excellence of Great Masters
Kot is keen to turn back the hands of time, celebrating the work of seasoned artists in a time in which digital and automated art is trending. Robotic art and 3D printers are currently being used to recreate famous pieces on a grand scale. The latest software is also creating completely new works that are capturing the eye of modern art and NFT collectors. However, there is something undeniably appealing about the tactile nature of Kot’s work. He collects materials from unexpected places like upholstery warehouses, car factories, and vintage clothes shops. He uses these materials to add texture to the paintings he chooses to adorn. For instance, he has turned one of Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits into a jacket that “pops” with life, with “Freda” wearing fabric flowers on her head and real-life beads around her beck.
The Sky’s the Limit When it Comes to Recycled Materials
Simon Peter Sai refuses to limit himself when it comes to creating art from reused materials. His paintings, installations, and collages are made from a wide array of non-degradable materials like metal scraps, car batteries, fabric off-cuts, car batteries, and polythene bags. His portraits focus on people who have played a vital role in modern history—including Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Janan Luwuum (one of the most influential leaders of the modern church in Africa), and Julius Nyerere (a renowned Tanzanian anti-colonial activist, politician, and political theorist). He wishes to celebrate the revolutionary spirit and courage that lies behind the actions of each of these figures. He believes in countering self-pity and braving emotional loss by finding something beautiful from what is left behind.
Savvy artists from across the globe are marrying matters of environmental and historical value through a myriad of works made from recycled or unwanted items. Szymon Kot is one of them. This fashion designer is recreating classic works, adding texture and color through discarded materials. Artist, Simon Peter Sai, meanwhile, is also doing his best to give value to items that have been thrown away. His portraits, collages, and installations are vivid representations of the value of finding something beautiful and worth fighting for, even in the midst of trauma.