40 Terrific Works of Art Made From Common Trash

40 Terrific Works of Art Made From Common Trash

Vitaly Friedman
by Vitaly Friedman
Last updated:
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We’ve all heard that “one man’s trash is another mans treasure”. That saying takes on new meaning when we view the world through the eyes of the artists featured in todays post. These talented individuals see possibility in the things we throw away every day. Instead of heading to the art supply store they just collect common trash and turn it into works of amazing art. Take a look at these 40 terrific works of art made from common trash and be prepared to start looking at your garbage in a whole new way.

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Artworks Made From Trash

Lampa – Sea Trash Creation

Recycling waste is easier than you think. Check out this lamp made from sea trash.

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Design by Milosh Gjuroski on Behance under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Nick Gentry

Discover the mesmerizing world of artist Nick Gentry, as he repurposes outdated computer disks and breathes new life into them through vibrant strokes of oil paint.

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Image by Loco Steve on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Shadow Portraits

Witness the magic as a seemingly ordinary pile of junk transforms into a masterpiece, revealing it’s hidden genius when illuminated against the wall.

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Image by Floor on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Belen Hermosa

Got a few thousand CDs lying around? Have a seat.

Chair which is made of CD

Lamponi

Lamponi make some really cool lamps from trash. This one was an old steam iron.

Table lamp looks like iron

An old ice scoop makes a good lampshade.

Table lamp

This old school hair dryer lamp and others are actually available to purchase. Check out the site for more far out creations.

AEG Table Lamp

Austinevan

This huge dragon was created using aluminum cans.

Recycled Dragon
Image by Evan Bench on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Sayaka Ganz

Sayaka uses reclaimed plastic material to build her wonderful sculptures. Look closely at these two and you can see plastic spoons.

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Image by greyloch on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Another great creation made from plastic objects, wire and cable ties.

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Image by greyloch on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Make Art Not Trash

Creative art works by Johanna Mailin Sternberg.

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Image by Johanna Mailin Sternberg on Behance under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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Image by Johanna Mailin Sternberg on Behance under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Yuken Teruya

Within the series titled Notice-Forest by Yuken Teruya, a tree stands inside of either paper bags or shopping bags, reminds that it was once part of it.

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Image by ep_jhu on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

David Mach

This huge Gorilla was made from old coat hangers.

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Image by Julien on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Another coat hanger sculpture from David. The protruding hangers make the sculpture almost look kind of blurry. Nice effect.

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Image by carolyngifford on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Jean Shin

“Huddled Masses” by Jean Shin is a captivating, technology-driven exhibition that intertwines e-waste and miles of computer cables, inviting reflection on the environmental impact of technology, planned obsolescence, and our digital footprint in the Anthropocene age.

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Image by Asian Art Museum on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Ptolemy Elrington

Unwanted and redundant materials have found new purpose in the form of a dragonfly.

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Image by Michael Brace on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Caitlind R.C. Brown

Step into an enchanting electrical wonderland where discarded bulbs come to life, suspended by strings that beckon viewers to unleash bursts of energy, transforming the “Cloud” into a mesmerizing spectacle of wired eccentricity.

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Image by John Lord on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Wasted Ashore

Art to save the sea.

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Image by GPA Photo Archive on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Robert Bradford

Robert Bradford uses discarded toys to bring his ideas to life. How many of these toys did you play with as a kid?

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Image by Yaffa Phillips on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Yong Ho Ji

Lion 2, a sculpture made out of tires.

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Image by Elfleda on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

“Chicklet” Trashion Fashion Art Ensemble

Check this wearable art fashion by Mary Anne Enriquez.

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Image by Mary Anne Enriquez on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License
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Image by Mary Anne Enriquez on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Jane Perkins

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Image by Klaus on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Alkesh Parmar

Immerse yourself in the world of Alkesh Parmar’s “Celebration Chandelier,” a breathtaking luminaire that exudes both luxury and sustainability, crafted with finesse using reclaimed champagne corks.

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Image by Inhabitat on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Jeremy Brooks

The artist obviously has a great understanding of the human form. Notice the old typewriter pieces on the lower abdomen.

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Image by Jeremy Brooks on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Actually, both of these pieces from Jeremy were made from old typewriters. Check out his site for more of his awesome work.

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Image by cclark395 on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Trash Can Art

Get ready for a mind-blowing transformation of the humble trash can.

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Image by Mohamed Atef on Behance under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Brian Jungen

This skull was crafted from old baseball coverings.

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Image by landhere on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Another statue made by baseball gloves by Brian Jungen.

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Image by Mrs. Gemstone on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Guerra de la Paz

This is a lot of clothing. Guerra de la Paz repurposes clothes and shoes and turns them into an artwork.

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Image by quite peculiar on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Absolut Earth Day

Absolut celebrates the Earth Day as “Planet Earth’s Favorite Vodka”.

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Image by Vinny Olimpio on Behance under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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Image by Vinny Olimpio on Behance under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Leo Sewell

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Image by Sultry/sulky/silly on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Strife

Scrap metal was used to construct this sea horse looking sculpture.

Iron Made Dragon Head
Image by Matthew on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Moonlightbulb

This fantastic mosquito was once just ordinary trash. Now it’s a beautiful work of art.

Recycled Bee Sculpture
Image by Selena N. B. H. on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

HA Schult

Prepare to encounter an extraordinary sight: a formidable legion of over 1000 “trash people” meticulously crafted and assembled by acclaimed German artist HA Schult, presenting a captivating reflection on our relationship with waste and the human condition.

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Image by wwwuppertal on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Photo of trash people seen from Rome’s Piazza del Popolo.

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Image by Roberto Ventre on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

In his renowned 2001 artwork “Love Letters Building,” Schult adorned the exterior of a former Berlin post office with purposefully collected love letters, serving as a poignant ode to German romanticism and a nostalgic nod to a time when heartfelt correspondence prevailed over swift email exchanges.

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Image by Katexic Clippings Newsletter on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Bernard Pras

Bernard Pras takes trash art to a whole other level. Absolutely stunning rendition of Bruce Lee.

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Image by cea + on Flickr under Creative Commons 2.0 License

Straight From the Ocean

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Image by Ferdi Rizkiyanto on Behance under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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AUTHOR
Vitaly Friedman
Vitaly Friedman

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