Amy Whitfield

Over the course of this project my focus point was human consumption and habits in the use of plastic, and how I could reinvent these mainly non-essential items, as well as essential ones. I looked into the reason why people still use these types of plastics, and it is because it’s easy and convenient. This is what initially began my project, and I started to manipulate bags through the process of crochet. By forming these samples in the shapes of bottles, I was reinforcing the illustrations that I had developed on the surface of clear latex gloves- a use of plastic that is necessary and saves lives. Through a varied response of photography, lighting and layering, I was able to explore many ways to investigate the translucent properties of the materials I was working with.

As well as working with photography and drawings, I also investigated the use of stop motion animation, where I was able to explore the concept of trying to shrink the global plastic problem through the gloves inflating and deflating, as I had drawn on them whilst they were filled with air. This was a new process for me, and one that I found very interesting to explore.

My main source of inspiration was from a textile artist named Jessica Den Hartog who mainly works by creating collections of small, colourful samples using recycled plastics. This idea of multiple pieces coming together to form a larger collection underpinned my entire project. Through creating my colour palette from initial photograph explorations, I was able to create my own body of work.

I am pleased with my final image, as I feel like it combines the separate explorations I tried within my project, and portrays how I reinvented plastic items with a short life span. Also, I believe after watching the documentary “Drowning in plastics” and seeing how much plastics effect marine life, that this idea of giving a new purpose to plastic items could be something to focus on in the future, in order to manage this global pollution and keep plastics out of the ocean.