For South African artist Mbongeni Buthelezi, his choice of medium was born out of desperation, but it ultimately came to define him as an artist and an activist. With little in the way of formal funding or support, he turned to a readily available resource – the plastic waste in local dumps – to be the foundation for his work. As he began to master the medium, he also became increasingly aware of the incredible damage that plastic refuse was wreaking on the environment, and he chose to use his art as a means of drawing attention to the problem. Buthelezi’s use of waste wasn’t always in defense of the environment; he first began using plastic litter for his art because he couldn’t afford more traditional mediums. Although his efforts have won widespread praise, Buthelezi says not everyone has been so supportive. “Some people say, ‘you will run out of plastics one day and then you won’t be able to do your work,'” he said. “They don’t understand that I would be happy if that happened. That is what I’m fighting for!”
SOURCE: CNN
More Stories
China Aims to Overtake the EU as Africa’s Biggest Trade Partner by 2030
A Special Program for African Startups
Researchers Embrace Artificial Intelligence to Tackle Banana Disease in Burundi
Clean Mobility Gains Popularity across Africa
Setting the Scene for Nigeria’s Looted Treasures
The Environment in the Anglophone Region is a Silent Casualty of Cameroon’s Conflict
Letting Bygones be Bygones as Cote d’Ivoire Celebrates Independence
Chad’s Transitional Government has Signed a Peace Deal with Rebel Groups
Respect the Decision of the People of Kenya
US Secretary of State Says Washington Will “not Dictate” which Choices Africa should Make
How to Experience Lagos and Parts of Nigeria
From Former Refugee to Travel Fundi