Karen Benjamin
1-29 August 2018
Fantastic Plastic
Queensland artist, Karen Benjamin turns her environmental concerns into artwork that focuses our attention towards marine conservation. Fantastic Plastic (2014-18) is a textile exhibition exploring the use of single-use plastic bags and the effects it has on our environment. Karen transforms plastic into fashion suggesting there are alternative ways to reuse this material without dire consequences on the environment.
- Contemporary Art Awards
Single-use plastic bags are an everyday convenience but an ecological disaster. These bags clog our waterways harming sea creatures through entrapment and ingestion. Alarmingly, research suggests, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. Consequently, my art practice is a silent protest and a reminder that we must rethink and find ways to recycle plastic. By highlighting this issue, the audience can reflect on how we use single-use plastic bags in our daily lives and consider alternative methods.
- Karen Benjamin
Exhibition
Turtle Scale
Recycled heat fused plastic packaging and recycled cardboard on mannequin
35 x 80cm
2018
$650
.jpg)
Back view
Fish out of water (front view)
Recycled heat fused plastic packaging, recycled cardboard on mannequin
35 x 80cm
2017
$650
Backless Turtle
Recycled heat fused plastic packaging on mannequin
35 x 80cm
2018
$650
.jpg)
Patchwork of ideas and solutions
Recycled heat fused plastic packaging and recycled cardboard on mannequin
35 x 80cm
2015
$650
Turtle Talk
Recycled heat fused plastic packaging, recycled wire on mannequin
35 x 80cm
2018
$650
Detail
Caught Dress
Recycled heat fused plastic bags on mannequin
35 x 80cm
2014
$650