Proof that my gran was right to never throw anything out, Second Chance: Found Objects Repurposed For A New Life shows what can be done with the seemingly spent, useless or knackered stuff that most people leave out for the bin men.
Ten artists have contributed to this collection, and between them they have come up with some startlingly different ways to recycle. C215 shows us his version of two Caravaggio oil paintings, urbanised by the Frenchman and reproduced on oil cans. Pop art has its say through Ben Frost‘s cartoon additions to found packaging, Audrey Heller goes sculptural with Three O’Clock, and at the other end of the scale is Joseph Martinez with his incredibly intricate watercolours on the inside of matchbooks – we just have to ask “how?”. Chicagoan Dont Fret has added some interesting characters to some recovered booze bottles, and it’s in his city that the collection is being exhibited, until 29th June at Vertical Gallery.
Audrey Heller,
“Three O’ Clock”, 2013,
Digital Print on Archival Paper/
S+N Edition of 250
My Dog Sighs,
Gallery opening reception photo
Ben Frost
“Paddle Pop”, 2013,
Acrylic on ice cream packaging
Kim Alsbrooks,
Gallery install photo
Joseph Martinez
“Face Front”, 2013,
Oil on found matchbook
Simon WG Butler
“The Final Curtain”,
Retired postage stamps on paper
Dont Fret
“Booze Hounds”, 2013,
acrylic on found bottles
C215,
Gallery opening reception photo
Ben Frost,
Gallery install photo
Pixel Stud
“Spring Cleaning”, 2013,
Acrylic, ink, tissue,
Double Bubble wrapper,
carefree bubblegum wrappers,
Space Invaders.
Kim Alsbrooks
“My White Trash Family, Young Woman in Blue”,
Oil on trash
