KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 – Repurposing trash is nothing new but what if you can elevate the pieces of trash into art?
That’s exactly what residents of kuala Lumpur’s public housing project (PA) Seri Kota learnt recently from US eco-artist Kelsey Merreck wagner in a “Trash Weaving Workshop” under Think City’s Kita-untuk-Kita (K2K) program.
In their neighbourhood *surau* located just a stone’s throw away from the Bandar Tun Razak LRT train station,a group of about 16 women listened as Wagner explained how to use small tapestry looms to refashion unwanted scraps into woven art.
All that was needed was a wooden loom (or even a loom made from a flat piece of cardboard), strings, scissors, recycled materials cut into strips, and a comb to push down each strip to make the final weaving tighter.
“So if you have tried weaving or maybe when you did it when you were younger, it’s very simple, you can experiment in different ways. The only rule is to go ‘Over,Under,Over,Under’ the strings,” Wagner said as she demonstrated each step of the weaving process.
Textile artist Kelsey Merreck Wagner demonstrates weaving techniques. – Picture by Raymond Manuel
Wagner said you can weave any kind of material that is flexible and can be cut into strips – even plastic.
“So I got that idea…I learned it from other people that use it, and it’s called ‘plarn’ – that is a combination of the words ‘plastic’ and ‘yarn’,” she told Malay Mail when met at the workshop.
eco-art since 2017. – Picture by Raymond Manuel” title=”Kelsey Merreck Wagner,who splits her time between the US and Thailand,has been focusing on themes such as conservation and plastic consumption in her eco-art since 2017. – Picture by Raymond Manuel” onerror=”this.style.display=’none’;” style=”width:100%”/>
Kelsey Merreck Wagner, who splits her time between the US and Thailand, has been focusing on themes such as conservation and plastic consumption in her eco-art since 2017. – Picture by Raymond Manuel
Wagner explained that she loved conducting trash weaving workshops for two reasons – raising awareness about the surroundings and to bring communities closer.
“The first is that recycling and plastic pollution is such a problem everywhere in the world, and we really need to all work together to think of creative ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.
“But the second and equally critically important thing is that I love that art workshops bring communities together,” she said.She said those who live in the same area or same building may not know all their neighbours, and such workshops enable people to build new relationships and do something “physical with their hands instead of being
Penang Exhibition Showcases Weaving with Recycled Materials, Inspiring Local Entrepreneurs
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An exhibition in george Town, Penang, is highlighting the art of weaving with recycled materials, sparking creativity and entrepreneurial spirit among local residents. The “Threads of Change” exhibition,featuring the work of eco-artist Kelsey Merreck Wagner,has inspired participants to explore innovative ways to repurpose waste,especially plastic,into marketable products.
From Plastic Waste to Sustainable Income
The exhibition isn’t just a display of art; it’s a catalyst for sustainable business ventures. Fazlina Othman, a 40-year-old batik entrepreneur and resident of PA Seri Kota, attended a weaving workshop as part of the event and instantly envisioned new income-generating opportunities.”We don’t have to throw plastic bags, we can recycle.So from what I learnt, I got the idea of using plastic to create bags for water bottles,” Fazlina explained. she plans to further refine her designs, creating coin purses by folding and sewing the recycled plastic weavings, incorporating batik as an inner lining, and adding functional details like buttons.
Eco-artist Kelsey Merreck Wagner poses with participants holding their completed projects.
The “threads of Change” Exhibition
The exhibition, lead by Kelsey Merreck Wagner, demonstrates the potential of transforming discarded materials into gorgeous and functional items. Wagner’s work focuses on raising awareness about plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices through art. The workshop component empowers individuals like Fazlina to translate these concepts into practical, income-generating solutions.
The “Threads of Change” exhibition runs until 7pm on August 31 at the U.A.B Building in George Town, Penang.
Why Weaving with Recycled Materials Matters
The growing global concern over plastic waste makes initiatives like this increasingly important. According to a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced globally each year, and a notable portion ends up in landfills and oceans. Repurposing plastic through weaving and other creative methods offers a tangible way to reduce this environmental burden.
Furthermore, supporting entrepreneurs who utilize recycled materials fosters a circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, minimizing waste and maximizing value.
Key Takeaways:
The “Threads of Change” exhibition in Penang showcases weaving with recycled materials.
The exhibition inspires local entrepreneurs to create sustainable businesses.
Fazlina Othman is developing products like bottle bags and coin purses from recycled plastic.
The initiative addresses the global issue of plastic pollution and promotes a circular economy.