Asia's Leading Contemporary Upcycle Artists Come Together in an Australia-First Art Exhibition: Plasticology

Plastic. There is more of it in the world than stars in our galaxy. Australia and our Asian neighbours share millions of tonnes of it in the oceans that link us and the problems it poses to us. But how are our artists responding to it? New FORM exhibition Plasticology features creative approaches to the upcycling of plastics by artists Leeroy New (Philippines), Yu Fang Chi (Taiwan), Eko Nugroho (Indonesia), and Angela Yuen (Hong Kong).

Designed to raise awareness about ecological issues through the eyes of leading contemporary Asian artists, the exhibition will feature a major installation of new work by Eko Nugroho. The renowned contemporary artist’s trademark play on the aesthetics of street art, graffiti, and comics combines technical skill and conceptual depth, and his bold graphics and part-man, part-machine figures will take form in an expansive mural and series of upcycled plastic sculptural figures within The Goods Shed this March.

Plasticology will also feature Angela Yuen’s turntable Hong Kong skyline orbs, crafted from plastic toys, their shadows projecting beautiful silhouettes and lively local street scenes symbolising the spirit, sweat and hardship of the local labour, and an iconic representation of Hong Kong’s manufacturing boom. Leeroy New’s wearable sculptures, crafted from a variety of found objects directly sourced from the immediate material culture of his environment evoke Manila’s harsh yet colourful streets, animated with alien characters. Yu Fang Chi’s plastic bags explore the similarity and ambiguity of materials, creating a visual representation of expansion, invisibility and inextricability in her immersive artworks.

“By exploring creative ways of reusing and upcycling plastics we hope Plasticology will encourage the public to reflect on how we live in an era of climate crisis, and how creative solutions might provide an insight into thinking differently about how we approach issues like waste," Curator Sharmila Wood said.

“The exhibition focuses on Asian artists and residencies as a way to illustrate our shared regional responsibility to the environment, highlight our connectivity and present works of the highest international calibre to illustrate the ideas and actions making a difference in our region. The exhibition reaches across cultures towards a shared vision of the future, and builds upon our belonging to Asia through our geographic proximity, shared ocean, and long established histories of trade, intercultural exchange, migration, diasporic community and intersecting histories."westwest

FORM will be staging an extensive public program of talks and workshops for both adults and children, connected to the themes Plasticology. Look for full details at www.form.net.au/plasticology

Plasticology opens on Thursday, 12 March 2020 in Perth, Western Australia alongside the launch of FORM's Scribblers Festival program, from 6- 8pm, and runs for around three months. Opening night will feature a special talk by artists Eko Nugroho, Angela Yuen, Leeroy New and Yu Fang Chi.

Artists and Plasticology curator Sharmlia Wood available for comment/interviews. Please contact Michal Zdanowicz 0401 619 239 for any enquires

Website: www.form.net.au