Junk Art (PHOTOS): 10 Amazing Artists Using Recycled Materials

Junk can be a beautiful thing, if you have the eyes to see it. From litter off the streets to odds and ends in the house, these artists from around the world find a use for what others would toss out without a second thought. We've compiled 10 artists who are creating intriguing works with recycled materials, redefining what we call trash -- we love this kind of reuse! Take a look, and vote for your favorite.

1 of 10

HA Schult

1 of 11

First Slide

Previous Slide

@

In 1996, German artist HA Schult installed 1,000 life-sized "Trash People" made from, you guessed it, trash, in the Ampitheatre of Xanten. Since then, his trash people have traveled to nearly every big city in the world.

Least Environmental Senators

Celebrity Vegetarians

gadgets/slideshows/249424/slide_249424_1491554_small.jpg

Fascinating Volcanos

2013 Earth And Sky Photo Contest Winners

Harper Collins' Climate Change Photos

10 Surprising Senators Who Voted Against Clean Water This Week

In 1996, German artist HA Schult installed 1,000 life-sized "Trash People" made from, you guessed it, trash, in the Ampitheatre of Xanten. Since then, his trash people have traveled to nearly every big city in the world.

comments(19)

Total comments: 19 | Post a Comment

1 of 11

Rate This Slide

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Not Trashy Enough Coolest Trash

• 
  1
• 
  2
• 
  3
• 
  4
• 
  5
• 
  6
• 
  7
• 
  8
• 
  9
• 
  10

Top 5 Trash Artworks

loading...

Top 5 Trash Artworks

UserName

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Top User Slides

← Prev|Next →

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Users who voted on this slide

← Prev|Next →

loading...

Comments

[shastaman]

02:04 AM on 04/24/2010

I submit that Ruby Sprengle from Eugene Oregon should be added to this feature! The tarp which she created from plastic bags for a homeless advocacy has a map of Portland and is beyond mere entertainment!

Check her out! ! ! I dare say that here

A R T
SAVES
LIVES!

[Z James Prokulewicz]

02:05 PM on 04/16/2010

Very cool Junk Art..........

[Michael A Ventrella]

10:19 AM on 04/05/2010

I'm surprised they missed Heidi Hooper, who makes art from dryer lint! Ripley's Believe it or Not museums all over the world have her art, as well as galleries around the US. When I first saw the Ray Charles piece, I thought it was hers!

Here's her web site: http://www.HeidiHooper.com

[gurukalehuru]

05:54 AM on 03/12/2010

2 and 4 are absolutely awesome. 10 (the garbage in a box) was super lame.

[rf dude]

09:17 AM on 03/11/2010

'
Only trash people block the bike path...

[naschkatze]

07:13 PM on 03/10/2010

Awesome is the perfect word. The first photo reminded me of the idols on Easter Island, and there is the suggestion of the end of a civilization.

[Political Conservative]

03:41 PM on 03/10/2010

I guess that just proves the old saying, "One man's art is another man's garbage".

[LMPE]

04:37 PM on 03/09/2010

Back in the '80s, National Geographic had an article about garbage, and the cover showed a statue constructed entirely out of trash.

[santiago sherwood]

04:19 PM on 03/09/2010

now if we could take such creative approaches to the rest of our lives. I am impressed.

[Jpwill]

02:19 PM on 03/09/2010

Man I love this, but I'm really surprised you don't have Yuken Teruya here. The man is a GENIUS!

http://www.greenexplorer.ovi.com/getinspired/asia/japan/cut-out-consumerism/

His art is the most delicate and intricate way of using rubbish I have ever seen.

[NameGirl]

02:14 PM on 03/09/2010

Bendow has been combing the alleys of Beverly Hills and beyond, finding stuff to draw on. His favorite: wooden salad bowls that become aboriginal masks! Deborah Page Projects in Austin sold a few.

http://bendow-art.com/site/drawings/masks

He also draws on old photos. His latest project: create something out of all the old, used up pens he goes through! Certainly saves on buying more paper.

[wassilij]

02:01 PM on 03/09/2010

WOW!!

[brahdog]

01:24 PM on 03/09/2010

lovin it. except the boxed trash

[Puzes]

01:15 PM on 03/09/2010

You left out the work of El Anatsui! His work is fantastic!

[Puzes]

01:17 PM on 03/09/2010

http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4ADBS_enUS307&q=el+anatsui+artist&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=m5CWS-qXMYK_lAeYkaWXDQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CBwQsAQwAw

[JR Jake]

01:06 PM on 03/09/2010

Since we are not very good at recycling, might as well make the most of it as long at it does not stink. Who know maybe this art will replace the Rembrandts and Picasso's in the future. Why? because everyone has a chance to be great at it. New degree & science: Trashology. Cool