Standard Bank’s 30 Baker Street Atrium hosts Trash to Art
Buthelezi’s work is relevant as the Trash to Art exhibition was co-created by over 500 Standard Bank employees
Standard Bank’s 30 Baker Street Atrium hosted a vibrant and collaborative pop-up exhibition, Trash to Art, by renowned artist and activist Mbongeni Buthelezi and JoziMyJozi on April 30.
For Bhutelezi, the medium and the material are the message. He is known locally and abroad for his striking works primarily made from plastic waste reclaimed from Johannesburg streets and dumping sites.
The artist uses a unique technique of melting plastic pieces onto a surface, creating a mosaic of shapes, textures, and shades that reflect the diversity and vibrancy of our city. He creates pieces that talk to the devastation caused by the waste, and point to reimagining how we could repurpose and recycle materials.
“As an artist, I am the mirror of my society. I’m supposed to reflect on what is happening on the ground, where I live,” said Bhutelezi.
The exhibited artworks provoke thought and contemplation on important environmental issues. How and why do we generate plastic waste, where does it end up, and how are we doing to manage waste?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for instance reports that annually, 3% of South Africa’s plastic waste (72–80 000 tonnes) leaks directly into the environment (such as rivers and oceans) – making South Africa the biggest polluter on the African continent.
On the other hand, Plastics SA has promising plastic recycling rates. In 2018, South Africa achieved a 46.3% input plastics recycling rate by converting 352,000 tonnes of plastic refuse into raw materials. In the same year, Europe managed a 31.1% plastics recycling rate. South Africa recycles 15.2% more of its post-consumer plastic waste than Europe.
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