Artists explore themes of waste, beauty and the environment
A few years ago Sierra Love moved to a property that contained a greenhouse full of old household items left behind by a previous owner. Initially unsure of what to do with it all, she came to see the situation not as a problem, but rather an opportunity—to create art.
“I have a problem throwing things out because I hate to waste anything,” Love says. “Over time, you have all of this stuff and wonder what you will do with it all.”
Love decided to make the unwanted items into art. Two years ago, she teamed up with two friends, fellow artists Jordan Friesen and Amanda Lingwood, to create the concept for a unique art show.
“We generate a lot of waste,” Love says. “All three of us have very different artistic styles, but that was a theme that we all believed in.”
Sierra Love used a recycled vacuum cleaner among other household objects in “I Do Love. Reprise Enter Meltdown.”
Photo by Karry Taylor
The result of their collaboration was an art show held in the spring of 2011 called “Resurrections.” The show explored themes of waste, beauty and the environment.
Artists were allowed to buy paint, but all other base materials had to be items that had been recycled, reclaimed, or otherwise discarded.
Inspired by the success of their initial show, Love, Lingwood and Friesen decided to expand their scope. They now hold two shows a year, which include work from other artists. Their fourth and latest show “Resurrections IV: Found and Recycled Art Show,” displayed the work of 12 artists from across the country.
All proceeds from the Resurrections shows are donated to community organizations that reflect the themes explored. The latest show supported Open Streets Calgary.
For now, the trio has been holding their shows in the Old Y Centre for Community Organizations. While Love says the space has been a wonderful fit, it has also meant the shows are limited to a single evening. They are now looking to hold their spring 2013 show in a gallery, something that would allow for a longer display.
“The idea is to promote local and grassroots organizations,” Love says. “People love that. It’s been very positive.”
See the Recycled Art photo gallery in The Lens for more photos of recycled creations.