Upcycled Art
What is Upcycling?
Upcycled Art is the idea of creating an art piece with materials and tools you find around you that may have been discarded or neglected, or even thought of as something that isn't a traditional material for making art. Not to be confused with REcycling, which is taking discarded junk and disposing of it correctly. UPcycling simply means to take junk and to turn it into something new! Like Art!
This image is a list of several found materials you see laying around, but it is definitely not the ONLY list of materials you are permitted to use.
Consider the most outrageous materials you can think of for an art project you normally wouldn't use. Think about the textures... the colors... the lines... Think about the purpose or the function of that material: is it there to be an emphasis? A base of support? Texture? A joint to a moveable and kinetic piece? What about the size of the finished product? The function of the whole thing?
Upcycled Art!
Your task for this project is to take found materials from around your house or the art room, use, manipulate, and upcycle them to create a piece of artwork
Things to consider:
the function - what was it made for? Washing dishes? Moving boxes? Doing taxes? Surgery? Decoration? Wearable piece on your head or arms? Shoes? Some form of communication?
the complexity - is it largely detailed and elaborate full of intricate pieces or is it simply minimalist in its sleek design that allows for more streamlined appearance (this does not mean EASIER: minimalist can be just as challenging to create!)
the use of elements and principles - just like any art project, you will pay attention to the color schemes, the line usage, the balance of the structure, the contrasting features, and the unity that it works well as a finished piece.
Featured Artist: Robin Davis
Robin Davis is an upcycling artist that focuses on using and upcycling rusted and beaten down "treasures" and turns them into magical creations like SteamPunk and Retro robots. She has a series of minibots that are as small as your hand, as well. Davis began her career as a children's book illustrator and an art licenser, but she has since turned to her mechanical 3D creatures.
Please click the button below to be taken to her workshop to view her wondrous, friendly, and upcycled robotic friends!