Plastic Bags Recycled in Paintings
In 2014, I orchestrated my inaugural exhibition, "ArtExhi," which showcased a collection of 100 paintings, all of which were successfully sold. Responsible for the development of its branding and the execution of marketing initiatives, I conceived this endeavor with the aim of leveraging my artistic abilities, alongside the collaborative efforts of The Art Society—a collective comprising 80 Jamaican students dedicated to artistic exploration—of which I served as head for a tenure of four years.
This exhibition garnered significant attention within Jamaica, attracting over 500 attendees and generating proceeds totaling $25,000 USD. These funds were directed towards supporting The St. Andrew Welfare Program, which focuses on furnishing educational resources to underprivileged children in Jamaica.
In 2016, buoyed by the resounding success of the inaugural exhibition, I embarked on a second installment of ArtExhi. This time, titled "ArtExhi Eco Change," the exhibition was designed to delve deeper into issues of environmental concern, particularly focusing on plastic pollution.
Subsequent to the resounding success of this initial venture, I was approached by Rohan Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley, to serve as a representative for the Caribbean under Marley Coffee. This invitation extended to attending a summit on plastic pollution in the Bahamas, with the specific objective of exploring avenues through which my artistic voice could contribute to environmental education and innovative solutions. Following participation in various workshops and engagements featuring prominent figures such as Lauren Singer, a renowned advocate for zero-waste practices, I embarked on a new exhibition initiative titled "ArtExhi Eco Change."
Under my direction, the Art Society spearheaded a national recycling campaign, focused on repurposing commonly discarded plastic juice bags found in schools. Through the integration of these bags into our artworks, meticulously concealed within the canvas to yield a distinctive textural quality, we sought to raise awareness about plastic pollution while offering a creative solution.
The success of "ArtExhi Eco Change" was further amplified through the support of numerous local and global brands, including Recoverbrands, where I held the role of brand ambassador. Their contribution, marked by the provision of bags bearing the ArtExhi logo, underscored our collective commitment to environmental stewardship.
In alignment with our philanthropic ethos, the proceeds from this exhibition, another $25,000 USD, were once again channeled towards the St. Andrew Welfare Program. Additionally, a portion of the funds facilitated the establishment of a new library at The St. Andrew High School.
Below, a visual depiction of the integration process highlights the transformative use of plastic within our artwork, exemplifying the innovative approach employed in addressing environmental challenges.
