Changing the Shed: Waste as Art

Abstract

The growing accumulation of plastic waste has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the contemporary era, prompting artists and researchers to explore innovative approaches to waste reduction and material reuse. This study investigates the transformation of discarded plastic strapping bands into contemporary artworks, examining how artistic practice can reconfigure waste materials into objects of aesthetic, cultural, and environmental significance. Drawing on practice-based, experimental, and descriptive research methodologies, the study employed processes of collection, sorting, weaving, assembly, and installation to explore the creative potential of discarded industrial plastics. Through a series of woven installations, the research demonstrates how materials commonly regarded as rubbish can be reimagined as valuable artistic resources. The experimentation revealed visual and conceptual connections between the woven plastic structures and traditional Ghanaian textile practices, particularly Kente cloth and Adinkra symbolism. These cultural references informed the development of artworks that addressed themes of connectivity, identity, consumerism, sustainability, and environmental responsibility. The installations further engaged audiences in critical discussions about waste, consumption, and the role of art in promoting sustainable ways of thinking. The study is informed by theories of waste and value transformation, particularly Thompson’s Rubbish Theory, which proposes that objects can move from states of low or discarded value to states of durability and cultural significance. Findings indicate that the artistic process itself serves as a mechanism of transformation through which waste materials are revalued and repositioned within systems of meaning and appreciation. Rather than viewing waste solely as an environmental burden, the research demonstrates its potential as a medium for artistic expression, cultural preservation, and public engagement. The study concludes that transforming waste into art is not merely an act of recycling or upcycling but an artistic process that challenges perceptions of value, encourages sustainable practices, and contributes to broader conversations surrounding responsible consumption and production.