The question “What good is art?” was clearly answered this month by the Comox Valley Community Arts Council’s Trash Art Challenge.
The results of the challenge, in the show at the Muir Gallery until Thursday, showed not only that garbage can be creatively reworked into interesting and often humorous pieces, but the theme dictated that the pieces must also have a use.
“Artists more than rose to the challenge,” said organizer and Arts Council board member Lori Kenney. “We had 33 entries this year. It is a show very high in quality craft and design.”
With that calibre, the three independent judges — waste reduction educator Gayle Bates, artist and North Island College art instructor Elizabeth Russell, and artist and vintage-objects collector Anthony McClosky — had their hands full choosing winners for the various categories.
Mobile Commode with Auto Wipe by Jeff Hartblower took the Creative Use of Materials Award, sponsored by Cumberland Massage.
“An inventive and innovative use of found and made forms, exquisitely crafted,” wrote the judges. “We could not ignore the humorous yet political message communicated in this work: ‘Be responsible for your own crap’.”
Kirby, the refashioning, by Rob Wiens, of an old vacuum cleaner into a motorbike mobile, landed the Form and Design Award, from W Massage.
“An exciting collection of material was sucked up for this piece,” commented the judges. “Kirby not only has the face of a vacuum, but look closely and you will see all kinds of objects — from kitchen spoons, woodstove handles to household tools — beautifully and intricately incorporated into the vehicle.”
Beth Smith’s Pair of Lamps, which sourced old barn wood, retro-recycled fabric and electric cords to create “two stunningly elegant lamps,” was granted the Function Award, sponsored by Red Living.
Best Environmental Message, a cash prize from the Comox Strathcona Regional District, was awarded to Lori Ann Kenney, for Catch of the Day, which had beach rope woven into a basket containing bits and pieces of ocean flotsam.
“Kenney's art was the best example of a work that fulfilled the three requirements for the show: function, artistic merit and environmental concept,” wrote the judges. “Here is a functional artwork that is not only visually interesting in terms of colour and design, but is truly made from garbage. All of the materials for the entire work were found on our local beaches.”
Attendees at the show opening got to cast ballots for the Audience Choice Award, sponsored by Wags Lifestyles for Dogs and Cats. When counted, Rob Wiens’ Kirby had the most ballots.
An Honourable Mention in the Creative Use category was given to Kathleen Hansen and Andy Stringfellow for Bug Off, “a fun and creative exploration of materials.”
“This year's Challenge had even more innovative, challenging and fascinating entries,” said Arts Council board member Bobby Herron. “We’re already excited about next year’s event and I’m sure that some artists are already poking around in the garbage, thinking of what they can put together for it.”
The Muir Gallery is on Anderton Avenue in Courtenay, next to the blue bridge. The show closes Thursday afternoon.
— Comox Valley Arts Council