Artists let ‘trash talk’ at new exhibition

| 09/04/2019
CNS Local Life
Work made from collected bottle caps by STOAK’D with Plastic Free Cayman signs

(CNS Local Life): Utilising a range of techniques and a variety of discarded materials, a group of local visual artists, in collaboration with Plastic Free Cayman, are creating works of art from trash while raising awareness about waste and its environmental impact. The resulting art is being presented in an exhibition, “Trash Talks”, which is running through Tuesday, 30 April.

In addition, on 15 April from 4:30pm-7pm, the public will be able to meet the artists at the exhibition, being held at Premier Wine and Spirits Tap Room in the Cayman Technology Centre. On display is work by Joseph Betty, Marcia Codner, Kerwin G Ebanks, Kaitlyn Elphinstone, Carlo Lee, Jessica Mittleman, June South-Robinson, STOAK’D and Marianna Szekely.

“Several of us collaborated on a bottle cap project led by Jessica Mittleman alongside Plastic Free Cayman and we all recognised the synergy between us and our drive to create work using discarded materials and help raise awareness,” said artist Kerwin Ebanks, in a press release. “It took off as soon as we started to share ideas about repurposing, recycling, reusing, reclaiming, upcycling, and restoring materials to create art. It was only natural (to) produce a group art exhibition.”

CNS Local Life
Artist Kerwin Ebanks posts @trashtalkscayman sign to raise awareness about the initiative (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

Noting that 15 April is Earth Day, South-Robinson said that was important for the group “as we embrace the culture of Earth Day, celebrate environmentally friendly practices, and strive to practise responsible habits all year round”.

The exhibition also features outdoor art installations by Betty and STOAK’D.

“Trash Talks” is the first show put on at the Premier tap room. Sabrina Stecyk, manager of Premier Retail, which recently took the Plastic Free Cayman 345 Pledge for Businesses that includes cutting out the use of plastic and Styrofoam items, said, “The idea for an art exhibition initially came from wanting to do something for Earth Day. We don’t use plastic straws in our bar or have plastic bags or to-go cups; we’re not perfect but try our best to do our part.

“I think it’s amazing to take something so negative and make something so beautiful out of trash. There is a serious waste problem and people are usually quite oblivious to the garbage we produce. I wanted to support this group of artists, celebrate Earth Day, and hopefully help our community to think twice about using that plastic bag, or taking a to-go cup,” Stecyk added.

For more information about the artists, go to the Trash Talks Facebook page

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Category: Arts, Visual Arts

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Love it! More bottle caps murals please! Get more children involved.