John Johnston
Tāmaki River / Te Wai o Taiki, 2019
Repurposed plastic waste, acrylic and sawdust on canvas
600 mm x 1200 mm
Finalist, 2019 Estuary Art & Ecology Prize
Malcolm Smith Gallery, Uxbridge Arts & Culture, Auckland
13 July to 1 September 2019
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Tāmaki River / Te Wai o Taiki was created using plastic waste found in and near the Tāmaki Estuary and other Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland waterways. The mosaic-like feature is closely based on the form of the Tāmaki River, from the narrow inland creeks to the ocean. The painting’s grey ground represents the surrounding land, and also resembles the concrete of our urban environment. The work is a visually festive celebration of the reuse of plastic waste, but also reminds us of the need to continue to eliminate plastic pollution.
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