4 June to 2 July 2023
As small mundane and usually overlooked pieces of single-use plastic, bread-tags are an abundant waste material, a polluting product. I reclaim and transform them, moving past their initial purpose and life span to become something ‘other’ that has value and meaning, provoking response and creating a space for dialogue about plastic waste. These breadtags have been saved and sent to me from people all over Australia and the world, as part of my ongoing work for 'The Breadtag Project’. Whatever the medium, I am continually drawn to pattern, colour, line and repetition. The theme of collecting is consistent, too, as I find solace and joy in the process of creating order from chaos, observing similarities and disparities. Through my work, I seek out small elements of beauty and interest in everyday life, of finding moments and objects that can either bind, comfort and hold us or confront and surprise us.
- Shani Nottingham
Image credit: Plasticus Organicus (detail) 2020-ongoing, salvaged single-use plastic bread tags and lampshades. Image courtesy and copyright the artist.