Recycled Art and Found Art Styles

Recycled art refers to art created with reclaimed materials incorporated into the piece, while found art involves modifying or creating art from undisguised objects that are not typically considered art due to their functional nature.

Both recycled and found art are becoming increasingly popular among artists as a means to raise awareness about reusing and recycling unwanted or no longer needed items. Artists often use objects like broken saw blades, old sinks, and other items to create art. Found art was first defined by Marcel Duchamp in 1915 when he used the term “readymade” to describe his art creation, Bicycle Wheel, made in 1913. Another example of Duchamp’s work includes a fountain made from an old urinal, which he signed as “R. Mutt.”

When an artist combines various objects into found or recycled art, it is called an assemblage. Duchamp’s piece, “Why Not Sneeze Rose Selavy?” is an example of an assemblage, made from a thermometer, cuttlebone, birdcage, and marbles that resembled sugar cubes. In 1936, during the Surrealist Exhibition of Objects, several sub-classifications of found and recycled art were established. Picasso incorporated found art objects in his piece, “Baboon and Young,” using handlebars and a bicycle seat to create a bull’s head.

In the 1990s, the Young British Artists (YBA) used found objects to elicit reactions from the public. Artists like Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, and Damien Hirst garnered attention for their provocative works. Hirst presented pieces like “A Thousand Years,” which featured a rotting cow head with flies, while Lucas displayed an enlarged mattress with melons and a bucket with a cucumber, representing human genitalia. Emin exhibited a tent with names covering the exterior and an unmade bed with stained sheets, surrounded by slippers, stained undergarments, and bottles.

Recycled art is also known as eco-friendly art, as it repurposes materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Artists like Leo Sewell create unique pieces from everyday items that most people would discard. One piece, “Teddy Bear,” uses small pieces of recycled art materials like buttons and toy parts, assembled using nails, screws, and bolts to create a lifelike teddy bear.

Recycled and found art have been around for nearly a century. However, they are becoming increasingly popular among environmentally conscious consumers as more people strive to be eco-friendly and reduce their carbon footprint.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME