Junk becomes Eco Art over eight weeks

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Junk becomes Eco Art over eight weeks

Thursday, June 28, 2012 • Mark Peters

THERE are those who think modern art is junk . . . then there are those who turn modern junk into art.

A selection of artworks created from recycled rubbish will be exhibited at Tairawhiti Arts Centre from tomorrow.

The artworks were made by 18 participants at a community-based Eco Art workshop. The workshop was the brainchild of Oriana Rojas who has held dance, Spanish, hip hop and holiday programmes over the past five years.

“The intent of this workshop was to show we can re-use items before throwing them away to make arts and crafts. We used a lot of plastic bottles, newspaper, broken toys, fabrics, wool, buttons and cardboard boxes — stuff we normally throw away. From these we made masks, figures, animals, costumes and sculpture.”

Mrs Rojas came up with the concept for an Eco Art workshop when she saw a Creative New Zealand advertisement for funding applications.

“I thought ‘let’s do something affordable’. I decided to do this workshop while my sister was here — she’s an artist. We wanted to do something for the community.”

Her application to Creative New Zealand was successful and the community-based workshop was launched.

“We had different themes for each class. We had an idea at the beginning but we had to make some changes so we could work with the little kids. Each week over eight weeks we explored different media.

“I like art but I’m not an artist. I love good communication with people and kids.”

Mrs Rojas acted as project manager while her sister, Chilean artist Paulina Rojas Labrana, tutored workshop participants.

“The workshop was open to all ages and art backgrounds. Our beautiful group consisted of a range of participants from four to 65 years old. It was great to see our participants sharing ideas, skills and helping each other.

“Tairawhiti Arts Centre invited us to exhibit with them. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to show the community what we have done during these eight weeks of work.”

The exhibition opens tomorrow at 5.30pm at the arts centre, 72 Lowe Street.

PUSSY MÂCH : During an eight-week Eco Art workshop run by Chilean artist Paulina Rojas Labrana and project manager Oriana Rojas. Picture supplied

Comments

Veronica Arrue

03:20 a.m. Saturday, Jun 30, 2012

Congratulations to my daughter-in-law and her sister for the amazing job showing the community how to create art from the recycled rubbish. A great workshop.
Regards from Chile.

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