Motivated by a vision for a cleaner, waste-free environment, Uzoma Anyanwu, a fabric artist and upcycler, will present his solo exhibition titled "Artistry Alchemy" on January 18 at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos. This inaugural solo museum exhibition, organized in collaboration with Nike Art Gallery, Nigeria/USA, is the culmination of years spent recycling Styrofoam and exploring innovative ways to repurpose waste materials found in urban settings. The exhibition's artistic direction is led by Prof. Frank Ugiomoh from the University of Port Harcourt.
The primary focus of this eco-conscious exhibition is the outcome of Uzoma's experiments with Styrofoam, which will form the majority of the displayed works. The exhibition will showcase ten sculptures and two collage quilts, running until January 29.
Uzoma is renowned for his stunning fabric collages and quilt portraits crafted from discarded textiles, having pioneered the use of recycled materials to create beautiful artworks that inspire emerging artists.
In this new series, Uzoma expands his exploration to include fabric sculptures, integrating Styrofoam with fabrics in his creative process.
He collects discarded Styrofoam from the streets of Lagos, as well as from gutters and dump sites in Ogun, where he lives and works. His motivation to repurpose Styrofoam stems from its inherently sculptural qualities and the environmental hazards it poses when it clogs urban drainage systems. For over five years, Uzoma has been dedicated to recycling Styrofoam and investigating the most effective methods for artists to utilize this fragile material.
The initial phase of the Styrofoam recycling process involves gathering Styrofoam waste from various sources, including packaging materials, electronics, and insulation panels. It is essential to sort the collected Styrofoam to eliminate contaminants such as dirt and other plastics. Clean Styrofoam is more manageable to process and results in higher-quality recycled products.
At the recycling center, Styrofoam undergoes additional processing. The blocks are first shredded and then introduced into an extruder, where they are subjected to heat and pressure. This process transforms the material into a melted and compacted foam that is expelled through the machine's outlet. The resulting melted Styrofoam is formed into small pellets known as rGPPS (recycled General Purpose Polystyrene), which serve as raw material for the production of new items. These pellets represent a significant resource for the creation of new Styrofoam packaging, insulation, and various other products, thereby closing the recycling loop.
Recycling Styrofoam plays an essential role in reducing CO2 emissions. By engaging with and comprehending the Styrofoam recycling process, both businesses and individuals can greatly lessen their ecological footprint. Uzoma Anyanwu takes pride in spearheading efforts in Styrofoam recycling, transforming waste into valuable materials and fostering a circular economy.