What does it mean to recycle?  Over the past few months AWA Artists let their imaginations take over and set themselves a challenge to reimagine their art and creative process to produce art works using recycled materials.  Each Artist was presented with an item to incorporate in an art piece while also developing other work along the theme…reimagine, reinvent and recycle.

This challenge has been both thought provoking and inspiring.  The basic concept of recycling suggests using what you already have or reusing old or found materials.  It also includes looking as an artist at the creative process in order to do no harm to the environment, or to use art to raise awareness of environmental issues, conservation and wildlife preservation.  This exhibition includes aspects of all of that. Albert Einstein said, “Logic will get you from A to B.  Imagination will take you everywhere.”   Each artist has been on a journey that opened them up to a new way of seeing and creating.

AWA is a diverse group of Artists who live and work in Awakairangi, Upper Hutt.  The Artists collaborate to bring art exhibitions and creative projects to engage and enrich the local community.  The art mediums used are broad and include, painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, hand crafted jewellery, printmaking, installation, photography, textiles and metal.  Each Artist brings their unique art style while also developing their art practice as individuals, interpreting landscape, portraiture, abstract and other representations of life, nature and the human experience.