The words “trash” and “waste” almost invariably carry negative connotations; however, there clearly is value in looking at the bright side of everything. Art can be turned into artworks that salvage the sea, land, flora, and fauna.
Recycling art–recently rebranded with the term, “upcycling art”–is a new and exciting frontier in the world of artistic expression. It is an art form that uses discarded materials and transforms them into something beautiful and meaningful.
Recycling art is not a new concept, but it has gained popularity in recent years as people have become more aware of the impact that waste has on the environment.
The concept here is not relegated to any one particular discipline, nor is it constrained by any rules or restrictions calling for specific materials; rather, it simply involves the artist’s use of whatever might be on hand to act upon a moment of inspiration.
Glass bottles, plastic bags, remnants of fabric, and other trash that would typically end up in landfills or floating in the ocean have been transformed into sustainable art by talented visionaries, who not only highlight the state of the environment but increase respect for their profession as a whole and add value to the economy. The opportunities are as endless as the imagination.
Fatiha Bentalha is a Moroccan artist who has devoted her life to adding such value to these “useless” items. Simply put, she is trying to give a new look to this “trash.” Her creations are so beautiful that visitors are left wondering if they are indeed actually made of trash.
Bentalha has exhibited this unique talent since childhood. In particular, she was inspired by the semblance of the garbage that was thrown by the ocean’s waves. The melange of overlapping colors would almost instantaneously manifest themselves as a painting in Bentalha’s mind during these visits to the sea.
“Since I was very little, I used to go with my father to the beach near our house. He was fishing and I was collecting the waste washed up by the sea. I was attracted by these objects and I always wondered how to reuse them,” said the artist.
Bentalha, in speaking with BarlamanToday, indicated that even though she did not formally study art–nor was it her major at university–her work was displayed in art galleries, and her paintings received wide acclaim from visitors and critics alike. Later on, however, she did take three years of art coursework in order to hone her talent and to obtain a certificate that would open more doors for her career.
The artist uses plastic bottles, cans, old newspapers, and even discarded electronics to create stunning sculptures, paintings, and designs. Her works are not only visually striking but also carry a powerful message about the impact of waste on the environment.
She employs her craft to push the boundaries of what is possible in art by utilizing unconventional materials to create works that are simultaneously eye-catching and ecologically beneficial, all the while highlighting the vibrancy of colors and diverse configurations of “waste.”
In expanding this art to the external world from the workshop in which she unleashes herself, she enlightens not only local schools but international forums such as was the case with the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as “COP27.”
Bentalha expressed that she can spend the entire night in her worship without even feeling the passage of time.
Her works are mainly about Moroccan culture such as the traditional wedding and the weekly bazaar, marine life, and other various regional topics. The main challenge for her is to create different paintings with a diversity of themes using the same materials, and to provide a glimpse of what life might be like if people are able to actually benefit on a larger scale from items that are considered harmful to the environment.
As a teacher of solid waste recycling at Zenith School located in Temara, Morocco, Bentalha strives to advance this art form and to weave it into daily life there. She educates children to create from simple items, and tries to instill the position that such simplicity is not antithetical to value. Furthermore, she tries to impart in their minds the importance of environmental stewardship at a young age, all within the framework of the ecological school organized by the Mohammed VI Institution for Environment Protection.
From the doorstep of her classroom, you can see and feel that you are entering a world where feelings, ideas, and creativity float freely. Students are totally immersed in their work, and their paint brushes produce incredible images which–if one can believe–actually prove to be more tactile than visual.
After lunch, children gather and sort waste, and then proceed to wash it and allow it to dry in the sun so that it becomes ready for its transformation into art.
To push students along in their proficiency level, the school organizes field trips to oceans, enabling them to collect garbage to keep the site clean, thus raising their awareness about the negative effects of waste on fisheries, climate, and the soil.
In conclusion, recycling art in Morocco is a creative solution to environmental challenges. It is a way for artists to use their creativity to make a difference in their communities and to inspire others to take action to protect the environment. Recycling art is not just a trend, but rather a movement that is here to stay. It is a testament to the power of art to create change and make a difference in the world.