With my current works, I include a blend of salvaged/up-cycled artificial flowers from cemetery rubbish bins - hand stitched into sturdy paper to create large scale works with plenty of texture and three dimensionality. The use of materials is what makes my pieces really stand out.
I think that one of the most peaceful places is a cemetery. I’ve always been drawn to them. I enjoy the silence, the calm, and the macabre aspect of it.
While visiting the cemetery one day, I noticed how much waste was involved in regards to artificial flowers and other "decorations" that end up becoming weathered and destroyed. Pounds of artificial flowers and plastics end up in the trash or simply as garbage and could take thousands of years to degrade, either as pollution or taking up space in a landfill.
I had the idea to up-cycle the silk flowers that had been thrown away and stitch them into my work, not only to help reduce waste, but to give these pieces of "trash", that had so much emotion tied to them at one point, a second life.
I think that one of the most peaceful places is a cemetery. I’ve always been drawn to them. I enjoy the silence, the calm, and the macabre aspect of it.
While visiting the cemetery one day, I noticed how much waste was involved in regards to artificial flowers and other "decorations" that end up becoming weathered and destroyed. Pounds of artificial flowers and plastics end up in the trash or simply as garbage and could take thousands of years to degrade, either as pollution or taking up space in a landfill.
I had the idea to up-cycle the silk flowers that had been thrown away and stitch them into my work, not only to help reduce waste, but to give these pieces of "trash", that had so much emotion tied to them at one point, a second life.
Photography credit - Reid Woodward
www.reidwoodwardphotography.com
www.reidwoodwardphotography.com